FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 13, 2007
Contact: Emma F. Caro
Public Relations Director
513-345-2242, ext. 232
CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK OPENS 48TH SEASON WITH DRACULA, SEPTEMBER 4-OCTOBER 5
(CINCINNATI) –The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park will open its 48th season with the return of one of its most popular productions of all time, Dracula. Deliciously decadent, sensual yet deadly and spellbinding entertainment, Dracula begins previews in the Playhouse’s Robert S. Marx Theatre September 4 and continues through October 5.
Dashing young Jonathan Harker frantically arrives at the country home of Doctor Seward, who has called him there from London. Seward’s daughter and Harker’s fiancée Lucy has grown increasingly ill with a puzzling disease and nothing in the world of medical science seems to ease her suffering.
Seward has called upon the wisdom of his old acquaintance, the legendary Professor Van Helsing, who is well regarded for his work in the field of obscure diseases. Van Helsing quickly guesses that supernatural forces may be at play, and he tells the others about vampires, creatures that continue to survive after death by drinking the blood of the living. Though skeptical, they admit that all other explanations have failed and agree to aid Van Helsing in his investigation.
At the same time, the family’s new neighbor Count Dracula, who has taken up residence in the dusty old ruins at Carfax, has been demonstrating an unusually keen interest in Lucy’s condition and in Van Helsing’s arrival. It soon becomes apparent to Van Helsing that it is Dracula himself who lies at the heart of the mystery. Van Helsing and the others must work quickly to save not only Lucy, but also the fate of future generations threatened by the evil curse of the undead.
The Playhouse is going back to the source for its production of Dracula. Still the most traditional and most popular adaptation of the Bram Stoker novel is that of Hamilton Deane, which had its world premiere at the Little Theatre in London in 1927 and then opened on Broadway later that same year with a script further revised by John L. Balderston. This is the version that first made audiences faint and scream in the aisles (in fact, nurses were kept on hand nightly for those premiere performances), that made a star of an unknown Hungarian actor named Bela Lugosi and that has been embraced for its highly theatrical elements: melodrama, adventure, suspense and spectacular special effects.
The cast for Dracula includes Larry Bull (Butterworth), Julia Coffey (Lucy Seward), Elizabeth Helitzer (Miss Wells), Patrick Husted (Dr. Seward), John Michalski (Abraham Van Helsing), Kurt Rhoads (Count Dracula), Scott Schafer (R.M. Renfield) and Jeffrey Withers (Jonathan Harker).
Dracula is directed by Stephen Hollis, who directed the Playhouse’s previous incarnation of the show in 1995, as well as its productions of Barrymore, Master Harold and the Boys and The Notebook of Trigorin. Other members of the production team include Paul Shortt (Set Designer), Wade Laboissonniere (Costume Designer), Kirk Bookman (Lighting Designer), David B. Smith (Sound Designer/Composer), Drew Fracher (Fight Choreographer), Rocco Dal Vera (Dialect Coach) and Chic Silber (Technical Advisor). The production stage manager is Jenifer Morrow and the stage manager is Andrea L. Shell.
Prices for Dracula range from $43-$56, depending on day and seat location. All tickets are $40 for the preview performances at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 4 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 5. The official opening night is Thursday, September 6 at 8:00 p.m.
Any unreserved tickets are half-price every day when purchased at the Playhouse between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the day of the show (for performances Tuesday through Saturday) and from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available.
Tickets to Dracula are on sale now. For more information, call the Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 or toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800/582-3208. Call 513/345-2248 for TDD accessibility. For single tickets purchased by telephone through the Playhouse box office, there is a $3 convenience fee per call.
Artists fly to and from Cincinnati on Delta Connection Comair.
The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to the Fine Arts Fund.
The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.
The Playhouse also receives funding from the City of Cincinnati.
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Special Performances
Meet the Artists
These free programs allow audiences to interact with cast members and others associated with the production following the show.
2 p.m. Sunday, September 9
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 12
2 p.m. Sunday, September 23
8 p.m. Thursday, September 27
Audio Described Performance
4 p.m. Saturday, September 8
Signed Performance
2 p.m. Sunday, September 9
Playhouse Perspectives
A free, pre-show lecture series featuring theatre artists and experts. Funding provided by Roderick and Barbara Barr. The featured speaker will be set designer Paul Shortt.
4:30p.m. Sunday, September 16
Dining Options
Karlo's Bistro at the Playhouse offers full-service dining prior to most evening performances. Dinners include salad, entrée and dessert. Reservations are required by noon on the day of the show. The price is $25, which does not include gratuity.
Karlo's Casual Fare offers busy theatre patrons an alternative light, quick bite prior to the show. Options include salads, sandwiches, soups, pasta and desserts. No reservations are required.
Sponsors
Production Sponsor:
The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation
Honorary Producers:
Harry and Linda Fath
Design Sponsor:
Jack Rouse Associates
Artist Sponsor:
Brandon Daush
Special Effects Sponsor:
Neyer Construction, Inc.
Fine Arts Fund Partner:
Procter & Gamble Fund
The 2007-2008 Marx Theatre Series is presented by
The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation.
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