by Joanne Engelhardt
It is likely that there are theatergoers who are far more enthusiastic about horror and science fiction than this reviewer. If so, the new TheatreWorks Silicon Valley production of “Dracula” may well be right up their alley.
That is because Director Giovanna Sardelli’s take on “Dracula” leans heavily on the macabre. But at a recent Sunday matinee performance, it was only a couple of minutes after the curtain opened on Act 1 before a few audience members decided to leave the theater.
That, added to the fact that there were a number of empty seats to begin with, may mean that in this era of political and social unrest, many people don’t want to watch blood, lust, gore and madness when they go to a show.
That’s not to say there are not some excellent performances, wondrous–close to magical–special effects, and a first-rate set created by scenic designer Jo Winiarski.
But would it have hurt director Sardelli to rein in the horrific and disturbing madness shown by Max Tachis’ Renfield? Watching him devour a spider with glee and then chomp down on a rat is not what many of us less horror-loving theatregoers want to see at 1 p.m. on a Sunday–or any time really.
Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” was first published in 1897. His hope was that it would be turned into a successful play, but it wasn’t until 1927–well after Stoker’s death–that Hamilton Deane’s stage adapation was finally performed in London. When it moved to Broadway, the title role was played by Bela Lugosi, familiar to all from the Hollywood movie.
The script used by TheatreWorks is a more recent dramatization, written by Steven Dietz. Although the dramatization may be recent, some of the histrionic excesses of this production may nevertheless seem decidedly and perhaps unappealingly old-fashioned to today’s theatregoers.
And: Would it have hurt to have more than one occasion when the audience could enjoy a laugh during a nearly two-hour production?
Two definite pluses are the dauntingly beautiful set by Jo Winiarski and the gorgeous period costumes designed by Meg Neville.
Adrian Roberts stands out as Van Helsing, the doctor called in to cure Lucy (Emily Newsome) after her usual doctor (Vincent Randazzo as Seward) has tried without success. Maria Marquis is superb as Mina: caring, careful, cautious and earnestly working to save both Lucy and her love, Harker (a strong performance by Nima Rakhshanifar). As Dracula himself, Scott Coopwood is convincing and mysterious, although at times his speedy delivery is hard to understand.
Sound can be a problem in the rather cavernous Mountain View Center theater. A few actors (Emily Newsome as Lucy, Monique Hafen Adams as the Maid/Nurse and Randazzo as Seward) often speak so softly that they are not easily heard.
A fine addition to this production is the occasional musical riffs included in James Ard’s sound design. Another nice touch is when, at play’s end, the blood-curdling howling of wolves sends theatergoers on their way.
“Dracula” runs through November 1st at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. For further information, click here.
_________________________________
Rating: *** (For an explanation of TheaterStorm’s rating system, click here.)
_________________________________
“Dracula.” Written by Steven Dietz from the novel by Bram Stoker. Produced by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Director: Giovanna Sardelli. Assistant Director: Perla Vanesa Barraza. Scenic Designer: Jo Winiarski. Costume Designer: Meg Neville. Lighting Designer: Kurt Landisman. Sound Designer: James Ard. Wig, Hair and SFX Makeup Designer: Y. Sharon Peng. Artist Counselor: Judith Nihei. Illusions Consultant: Jim Steinmeyer. Movement Coordinator: Patricia Barretto Ong. Flight Coordinator: Jonathan Rider. Dialect Coach: Janel Miley. Stage Manager: Nick Carvalho. Assistant Stage Manager: Megan Hall.
Cast:
Maid/Nurse: Monique Hafen Adams. Dracula: Scott Coopwood. Mina: Maria Marquis. Lucy: Emily Newsome. Harker: Nima Rakhshanifar. Seward: Vincent Randazzo. Van Helsing: Adrian Roberts. Renfield: Max Tachis.
