'Dracula' comes alive this Friday
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com

Wharton's night life will soon belong to the "children of the night" as the Footliters celebrate October with a presentation of the 1927 stage play "Dracula."

The play is based on Bram Stoker's novel and was originally brought to life on the Broadway stage by Bela Lugosi, who was later selected to play the lead in the classic 1931 horror movie.

Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Fridays Oct. 19 and 26 and Saturday Oct. 20 with Sunday matinee performances at 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 21 and 28. A special late night performance is scheduled for 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27. Those attending are invited to come in costume with prizes awarded.

Director Darin Mielke, who will also play the character of Renfield in the production, said the special effects for the play will be state-ofthe 1927-art in keeping with the feel the cast is trying to create.

"We're working primarily off the script, although we did video the Lugosi movie to get a better feel for the era," he said. "It will be in blacks, whites and grays with the only real color being the lighting. It will have the feel of the old black and white movies."

While most of the cast limited their research to the Lugosi movie, Bruce Turner went a little more in-depth in delving into the tradition. That extra research is in character for the man who will portray Van Helsing, the noted vampire hunter.

"I'm an admitted horror film fan," Turner said. "I think I've seen just about every vampire movie, even the Italian and Mexican ones. I'm particularly fond of the old British Hammer Films with Christopher Lee."

The title role of the production is in the hands of Neil McDonald, who said he enjoyed the 1927 script.

"There is not the gore that you find in modern horror movies," he said. "But it is still creepy. It relies on building up the suspense rather than just showing the blood."

General admission to each performance is $10 with tickets for seniors, students and groups of 10 or more priced at $8 each. For reservations or tickets, visit www.whartonplazatheatre. org or call 979- 282-2970.