‘Dracula’ offers macabre musical madness

PARADISE » Theater On the Ridge in Paradise is known for its unusual and exciting productions.

Another one, “Dracula,” will be performed Sept. 8-24 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 11-25 at 2 p.m.

“Dracula” was written by Bram Stoker. The Irish author was born in 1847, and his creation of this awesome story has inspired hundreds of remakes in various versions. Among these is one adapted for the stage and directed by Amber Miller for TOTR. Musical direction is by Ben Ruttenburg and Samantha Francis.

TOTR director Amber Miller is credited with the direction this version of “Dracula” takes by a musical.

“‘ Dracula’ with music became a daydream some years ago,” she said. “I would vacillate between an original score or covers. I love adapting novels. I have always loved good gothics sensibilities. I wanted music that fit both tone and theme. I wanted the music integrated with the story and the players telling it, and so decided the cast would play and sing it all. This has been a threemonth long process. The cast jumped in the deep end and have been amazing.”

The story of Dracula was first introduced by Stoker in 1897. It tells the tale of Jonathan Harker ( Tommy Lee Buswell) who takes a business trip to stay at the castle of Count Dracula ( David Linddtrom). The Count wants to move from his place in Transylvania to England. He wants to spread the curse of vampirism by finding new blood. He travels to London for this purpose (Mike Flicker).

Circumstances cause him to lose his wife, Mina Murray (Kasandra Partain), to her suicide. Dracula turns against the church and becomes the evil one. What happens next will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

TOTR ticket prices are $14 general, $18 reserved, available online at http:// www.totr.org. Bargain tickets are offered at the door only on thrifty Thursdays $12, and Sunday matinees $12.