2008 Woodie Awards
'Dracula and Me' combines humor, horror
Johnson, Amanda B.
Issue date: 10/22/07 Section: Fine Arts
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"Dracula and Me," a comic murder mystery by Commedia del Arte, was hosted by the USA Horror Club on Oct. 14. One dollar from each five dollar ticket sale benefited the production of the 2008 USA Oracle.
The play opens with a group of actors preparing for the play "Dracula." Moments after the play begins, Lucy enters with a peculiar mark on her neck. The others overlook the instance, thinking that the fang marks are merely part of Lucy's rehearsal makeup. However, after Lucy (Elizabeth Vardaman) faints and is suspected dead, the players realize that her mark is made not by makeup, but rather by an actual vampire! Lucy wakes, making a mockery of the cast and taunting them to find her as she escapes into the darkness. The players then begin to contemplate who among them must be the vampire and seek to lure Lucy out so as to find her assailant.
Each cast member makes his/her own attempt of luring out the true vampire; Miss Mina (Alana Miller) enlists in a gun loaded with silver bullets, Renfield (Ashley Kuppersmith) seeks the help of a wooden cross and Dracula (Shari Prestwood) relies on garlic cloves to ward of the creature of the night. But when each player's attempts fail, the vampire strikes again.
The sarcastic Dracula falls victim next, ruling him out as a suspect. As the cast, along with vampire hunter Miss Van Helsing (E. A. Keeble), shuffle off stage to seek out the traitor, Lucy reappears to the audience. She again criticizes the cast for their failed attempts at luring her in. As the players return, Lucy escapes once more. Miss Mina, Renfield, Dracula and Van Helsing all begin to accuse each other. Before blame can be placed any further, Renfield steps up as the one who has bitten Lucy. Luckily, Miss Van Helsing has provided Dracula with a wooden stake, which ultimately takes the life of Renefield. When the others question why the vampire hunter has trusted Dracula and no one else, Dracula reveals a crucifix around his neck, which no true vampire would wear.
Each player kept the audience laughing with a humorous approach toward a serious vampire problem. The actors continually interacted with the audience, adding to the suspense. The quick-witted Renfield, along side the sometimes oblivious Miss Mina, made for many laughs. Van Helsing's continual denial of being anything other than the real Van Helsing, started many a conflict with Miss Van Helsing. "Dracula and Me" made for a great production and a good laugh, just in time for Halloween.
The Commedia Del Arte has been active for the past 15 years, volunteering their time to various charities and schools. They will continue to offer many more productions in the future and hope for you continual support.
The play opens with a group of actors preparing for the play "Dracula." Moments after the play begins, Lucy enters with a peculiar mark on her neck. The others overlook the instance, thinking that the fang marks are merely part of Lucy's rehearsal makeup. However, after Lucy (Elizabeth Vardaman) faints and is suspected dead, the players realize that her mark is made not by makeup, but rather by an actual vampire! Lucy wakes, making a mockery of the cast and taunting them to find her as she escapes into the darkness. The players then begin to contemplate who among them must be the vampire and seek to lure Lucy out so as to find her assailant.
Each cast member makes his/her own attempt of luring out the true vampire; Miss Mina (Alana Miller) enlists in a gun loaded with silver bullets, Renfield (Ashley Kuppersmith) seeks the help of a wooden cross and Dracula (Shari Prestwood) relies on garlic cloves to ward of the creature of the night. But when each player's attempts fail, the vampire strikes again.
The sarcastic Dracula falls victim next, ruling him out as a suspect. As the cast, along with vampire hunter Miss Van Helsing (E. A. Keeble), shuffle off stage to seek out the traitor, Lucy reappears to the audience. She again criticizes the cast for their failed attempts at luring her in. As the players return, Lucy escapes once more. Miss Mina, Renfield, Dracula and Van Helsing all begin to accuse each other. Before blame can be placed any further, Renfield steps up as the one who has bitten Lucy. Luckily, Miss Van Helsing has provided Dracula with a wooden stake, which ultimately takes the life of Renefield. When the others question why the vampire hunter has trusted Dracula and no one else, Dracula reveals a crucifix around his neck, which no true vampire would wear.
Each player kept the audience laughing with a humorous approach toward a serious vampire problem. The actors continually interacted with the audience, adding to the suspense. The quick-witted Renfield, along side the sometimes oblivious Miss Mina, made for many laughs. Van Helsing's continual denial of being anything other than the real Van Helsing, started many a conflict with Miss Van Helsing. "Dracula and Me" made for a great production and a good laugh, just in time for Halloween.
The Commedia Del Arte has been active for the past 15 years, volunteering their time to various charities and schools. They will continue to offer many more productions in the future and hope for you continual support.
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