Just in time for Halloween, the Performing Arts Department at Cedar Crest College presents an enjoyably creepy and satisfyingly cerebral production of the classic vampire thriller "Dracula" through Oct. 31 at the Allentown colleges Samuels Theatre.
This adaptation of the play based on Bram Stokers 1897 Gothic novel approaches the familiar story as a macabre mystery to be solved by the scientific Dr. Seward and the flamboyant Dr. Van Helsing.
Alex Kleinschmidt is restrained as the overtly practical and low key Dr. Seward. Stealing the scene every time he scuttles on stage, is Brandon Costanzo as the histrionic, bug-eating Renfileld. With lank hair in his face and perpetually crouched over like an animal, Costanzos Renfield is at once crazed and insightful. His perpetual motion and entertaining ickiness is a contrast to the dispassionate remoteness of Kleinschmidts Seward.
As Sewards doomed fiance Lucy turned vampire, Lizbeth Parra is dreamy and otherworldly, wandering the stage like a ghost.
London Griffith is appropriately skeptical as Lucys protective aunt Mrs. Harker And we watch her haughtiness turn to confusion and then despair when she fears she has fallen under the spell of the undead. She has one of the truly most unsettling moments of the play, with a perfectly timed and ear-piercing scream.
Carter Reichard is full of self-importance and swagger as the metaphysician Dr. Van Helsing from the moment the character sweeps into the room brandishing a horse crop. Reichard skillfully delivers Van Helsings wordy monologues of metaphysical theory with passion and conviction.
Ryan Patrick Allen hits all the right spooky notes as the dangerous but charming Dracula, his 6 foot 3 inch frame commanding the stage as he stalks his victims. The entire cast is masked, throughout the show, but it is the character of Dracula who takes creative masking to the next level. Allen as Dracula, also is the one actor who makes particularity good use of his eyes to convey another level of unease.
Sofia Barbour adds several key moments to the plot as Abigail, the houses simple but straigtht forward housemaid.
Clair M. Freeman keeps the direction precise and well-paced. In fact, the 1 hour 10 minute show has no intermission and seems to fly by.
The single scene set design of Swards English manor home by Richard Kendrick and Vicki Neal looks sumptuous and period costumes by D. Polly Kendrick from Lucys diaphanous night gown to Draculas swirling capes are spot on.
All in all its a solid and satisfying performance, so for a night of sinister entertainment, "Dracula" delivers.
Performances are 7 p.m. Oct. 28, 29 and 30; and 2 p.m. Oct. 31.
The actors will be masked and all audience members are required to wear masks.
Performances are in Samuels Theatre, on the second floor of Tompkins College Center on the Cedar Crest College campus.
Tickets are $ 15 for adults, $ 10 for seniors and $ 5 for students.
For information call 610-606-4608, cor go to cedarcrest.edu/stage.