Vampires are coming to the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall just in time for Halloween as Dracula, the classic vampire story that became the archetype for other vampire tales to follow, is presented on stage.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula is debuting just before Halloween at Vail-Leavitt Music Hall,18 Peconic Ave., Riverhead, Oct. 26 through Nov. 3.
Charles Calabrese and Adrienne Pellegrino directed this stage adaptation by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston of the classic vampire novel by Bram Stoker.
Performances of Dracula are Saturdays Oct. 26 and November 2, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays Oct. 27 and November 3 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $30 and $25 for seniors age 65 and older.
Greg Halverson plays Count Dracula, Alicia James plays Mary Seward, Glen J. Beck plays John Seward, Chloe Keil plays Lucy Seward. Charles Calabrese plays Professor Van Helsing, Mark Swinson plays Renfield.
Adrienne Pellegrino plays Anne, Maxine Wolberg plays Grace, Kevin Hagan plays Butterworth, Norman Greene plays Smith. Alex Vartanian designed light and sound with artistic production by Allison Keil.
Calabrese called the story and script a “masterpiece of horror” where he sought to “maintain relevance and meaning for a contemporary audience.”
Dracula tells the story of Dr. John Seward, who runs a sanitarium outside of London. He lives on the grounds with his wife, Mary and their young daughter, Lucy.
“When Lucy’s friend comes to visit, she falls mysteriously ill, grows weaker, and finally dies,” Calabrese said. “Suddenly, Lucy is stricken with the same symptoms.”
They call upon their old and learned friend, Professor Van Helsing, to assist in caring for Lucy and finding a cure.
“He diagnoses an incredible cause of her illness with a terrible prognosis and a similarly terrifying cure,” Calabrese continued. “The forces of good must combine in fierce battle against ultimate evil as they fight to preserve what is most precious to them and to protect their very lives.”
Dracula, The Vail-Leavitt Music Hall, 18 Peconic Ave., Riverhead. Performances Saturdays Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 at 3 and 8 p.m. and Sundays Oct. 27 and Nov. 4 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $30 and $25 for seniors age 65 and up. Info/ Res: online at Draculatheplay.com. Additional info: 631-880-0912.