Dracula

From: "will stackman" profwlll@yahoo.com

Subject: Quicktake - "Dracula" by Weylin Symes, after Bram Stoker's novel

Date: Sun, Oct 23, 2005 8:07 PM

Quicktake on DRACULA

     Those familiar with the 1920's Balderston version of this story, often done by community theatres, will find Weylin Symes approach an improvement. Stoneham's artistic director, along with director Greg Smucker, have fashioned a contemporary thriller from Stoker's Victorian Gothic novel, hewing close to the original story line, which is not always dramatically effective. Perhaps they'll be able to workshop this script over the next year or so and bring it back in a future season. Stoneham's kept the cast down to six without sacrificing any important plot elements, and Susan Zeeman Rogers, aided by Jenna McFarland's able stagecraft, has come up with a flexible expressionist set with hints of the silent film classic "Caligari" and touches of Edward Gorey. The complex scene changes are carried out by the cast, perhaps for budgetary reasons. This can be distracting. A couple of supernumeraries might be speed things up.

     The title role is played by Publick Theatre's Diego Arciniegas with a nod to Dryer's "Nosferatu" and no hint of Bela Lugosi. Nathaniel McIntyre plays Jonathan Harker, the unfortunate young realtor sent to Transylvania to deal with the Count. IRNE winner Richard McElvain is Dutch scientist Van Helsing. He should somehow appear earlier in the action. The two heroines, Jonathan's wife Mina and her cousin, Lucy Westenra are played by Joy Lamberton, seen this summer at the Publick in "Arcadia" and "Comedy of Errors", and Angie Jepson, seen last summer in "Troilus and Cressida" in a title role. Their parts are convincing Victorian but could be more substantial to take advantage of these fine young talents. Lucy's fiance, Dr. Seward, is played by Owen Doyle, also seen in "Arcadia" as well as ASP's "Julius Caesar." He also plays the Romanian innkeeper. These experienced actors form a tight ensemble which lifts the production over a few rough patches in the storytelling.

     This production combines Stoneham's committment to new work aimed at a mainstream audience. Period costumes by Rachel Padula Shufelt and expert lighting by IRNE winner Karen Perlow catch the melodrama of the piece while giving the evening a contemporary air. The show is certainly appropriate to the season.

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"Dracula" by Weylin Symes, Oct. 20 - Nov. 6

Stoneham Theatre

395 Main St. Stoneham MA, (781) 279 - 2000
Stoneham Theatre