Drakula: The Performance (A Unique Ballet)

Drakula takes up residence for 5th year
at the Stoughton Opera House

The story of Vlad, Prince of Walachia has come down through history in many different forms. In some, he is the center of a tragic love story. In others, he is a blood-thirsty monster; merciless and unrelenting. In all, he goes by another name—Drakula. StageWorks Projects is telling his story for the fifth year in their production of Drakula: The Performance at the historic Stoughton Opera House, October 25 and 26.

Artistic Director Coleen Kehl had a different vision of how she wanted to tell the story, “I had seen movies, plays, a musical, and a ballet about Drakula; it was the ballet that intrigued me. A talented group of people was assembled to talk about doing one ourselves. The fault we found with doing a ballet is that it’s hard to tell such a complex story with dance alone. We needed a narrator and eventually decided that Renfield (played by John Walton) and Van Helsing (played by Bob Breen) were the perfect characters to tell the tale.” The use of the two narrators allows this production to go more in depth. For instance, audiences learn more of Drakula’s early history, including the one great love of his life.”

Dave Gasner, President of the StageWorks board was, and is, an enthusiastic supporter of the project, “All the usual characters are there, Drakula (Jerry Pero), Lucy (Anna Pfferkorn), Mina (Alicia Pliner), Harker (Mike Dartt), and the rest, but our Drakula also has minions. The gargoyles from his castle come to life to do his bidding.”

Usually ballets such as the Nutcracker or Swan Lake have music, story lines, and choreography that is set by time and tradition but that is not the case with Drakula: The Performance. Kehl explains, “There have been a number of ballet companies that have performed a Dracula ballet but no one has written what would be considered a standard version. We assembled our own music, wrote our own story line, and created our own choreography. The music is especially interesting in that it comes from contemporary sources. The production continues to evolve with additions to sets, costumes music, choreography, script, and cast since last year’s show. Changes and additions will be ongoing and will keep the production fresh. Every year will be a different experience.”

This is a great show for couples and adults, but is not for everybody. It comes with a PG 13 rating. Small ones may find the performance scary, and while presented in a subdued manner, there are adult themes.

Drakula: The Performance will be performed at the Stoughton Opera House Friday and Saturday, October 25 and 26 at 7:30 pm. The Opera House is at 381 E Main Street. Tickets are $14 and are available online and at the Stoughton Center for the Performing Arts, 515 E Main Street, Stoughton, WI (608) 873-0717.

Produced by Stage Works Projects, Inc. at Stoughton Opera House, 381 East Main Street, Stoughton

Performances: October 25-26, 2013

Performance Times: Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26th curtain is at 7:30pm

Ticket Prices: $14/ ticket www.stoughtonperformingarts.com/purchase-tickets/

Call 608.873.0717 for reservations or more information.