FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                       Contact: Lisa Joyce, 503-485-4300

Sept. 10, 2018                                                                                                  lisa@pentacletheatre.org

 

Just in time to get you in the mood for Halloween, Dracula, Steven Dietz’s adaptation of the classic Bram Stoker scary story, takes to the Pentacle Theatre stage Sept. 28 – Oct. 20.

Directed by David Ballantyne, with support from assistant director Heathre Powell, Pentacle’s production of Dracula combines modern music, sound, practical effects, visual effects, projections, lighting, beautiful costumes and blood as it follows striking characters immersed in a thrilling adventure.

“It’s a story of mystery and imagination that thrusts authentic people into extraordinary situations and macabre supernatural happenings,” said Ballantyne.

“Deitz’s adaptation of the original story modernizes it in a smart way. It captures the spirit of Bram Stoker’s book and turns it into an immersive theater experience. It’s part detective story and part vampire horror masterpiece.

“The core characters must work together to solve the mystery of what’s happening to Dracula’s victims and how to save them. In the end, there is redemption for all,” he said.

The audience experience will start as they walk the pathway through the woods to the theater and their seats. Once the show starts, the tension builds as weird happenings and blood lust compel the story’s heroes to use their wits to fight against a powerful supernatural enemy.

“We are having as much fun as we can telling the story,” said Ballantyne. “There is a lot of body work by the actors in each of the roles. Combined with the supernatural, blood and a vampire, the audience is in for quite a ride.”

The cast of Dracula includes Ty Hendrix as the younger Dracula and Anthony Redelsperger as the older Dracula, Erik Vigeland as Harker, Johnathan Partridge as Seward, Cliff Boyer as Van Helsing, Jay Howe as Renfield, Rachel Hedges as Lucy, Emily Abbey as Mina, Alaina Lesko as the maid, Elizabeth Ming, Jewelia Owens and Kristine Rosentrater as vixens, and Joe Martin and Robert Henry as asylum attendants.

Dracula is made possible with the support of sponsors Allied Video Productions and Woolsey Family Dental.

BOOK CLUB

Michael Strelow, professor emeritus of English at Willamette University, will again lead a Pentacle Theatre book club–this time for the Oct. 4 performance of Dracula. He last led a discussion group for the 2016 Pentacle production Of Mice and Men.

Bram Stoker was an Irish author with theater connections. Michael taught Irish literature for many years and is excited to explore the many facets of this novel.

Included in the book club ticket price:

  • Copy of Dracula (so that all club members are reading from the same edition) available at the Pentacle Theatre Ticket Office.
  • Online conversation about Dracula with Michael and other book club members (through Facebook)
  • Conversation over pizza dinner at the theater before the Oct. 4 performance. (Soda and water provided, beer and wine will be no-host.).
  • Talk back with the Dracula cast and crew after the performance.

Book club tickets: $30 for adults, $15 for students. Contact the ticket office to purchase tickets (see below for contact information).

Book club made possible with support from The Book Bin of Salem.

IF YOU GO

What: Dracula, written by Steven Dietz and based on Bram Stoker’s novel, is directed at Pentacle Theatre by David Ballantyne.

When: Sept. 28 – Oct. 20.

Where: Pentacle Theatre, 324 52nd Ave. NW, off Highway 22, about 6 miles west of downtown Salem, Oregon.

Sponsored by: Dracula is generously sponsored by Allied Video Productions and Woolsey Family Dentistry.

Tickets: Tickets range in price from $24-29.

  • $29 for opening night includes a catered post-show party.
  • $25 for Friday and Saturday evening performances.
  • $27 for Sunday matinee performances.
  • $24 for Wednesday and Thursday evening performances.
  • Seniors, Pentacle Theatre members, students and military are eligible for a $1.50 discount per ticket.
  • Through Salem for All, Oregon Trail cardholders are eligible for a 50 percent discount per ticket.

Where to buy: Advance tickets are available at Pentacle’s downtown Salem ticket office at 145 Liberty St. NE or by calling 503-485-4300 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, or online anytime at pentacletheatre.org. Tickets are also available at the theater box office 45 minutes before each performance.

Tickets for low-income persons: In partnership with Salem for All, Pentacle Theatre offers half-price tickets to Oregon Trail Card holders. For information, go to salemforall.org.

SUITABILITY

Dracula is suitable for those who love a good pre-Halloween thrill and a classic mystery-horror story about blood-sucking vampires that bring unsuspecting victims under their supernatural spell.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  PentacleTheatre.org or call 503-485-4300.

Pentacle Theatre is Salem’s premier community theatre, celebrating 64 years of professional-quality productions staged in an intimate setting. Pentacle Theatre encourages actors of all ages, genders, abilities and ethnic backgrounds to participate in its productions.