Spooky season is here and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is presenting the regional premiere of Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen. This humorous reimagining of the Bram Stoker tale is full of twists and playful innuendo while still giving nods to the original dark text.
The Production Team
Director Brian Isaac Phillips and Assistant Director Robert Carlton Stimmel clearly understand how a farce of this nature should play out. Pacing is excellent thanks their insight as well as cast and crew. Physicality is key in this staging and our directors’ talents along with the help of Gina Cerimele-Mechley (Fight/Intimacy Direction) and Susan Jung (Dance Choreography) make for a beautiful set of stage pictures.
Scenic Design by Chris Halloway is the ideal blend of beautiful, haunting, and adaptable. Mr. Halloway’s vision is ideally complemented by Aiden Bezark’s Lighting Design. In addition, Alice Hopkins’ Properties Design is an important part of the aesthetic ensemble. Finally, Costume Design by Rainy Edwards is equal parts innovative, sexy, and hilarious.
Performing Artists
An ensemble of five actors play more than as many roles in this frightening funny tale. Bringing some wonderful emotional elements to the piece is Jasimine Bouldin as Lucy Westfeldt. Ms. Bouldin’s continues to show us what a broad range she possesses and this turn is no exception: she is kind-hearted, smart as a whip, and stunningly beautiful. (Semi-spoiler alert: she steals the show with her take on a small-but-mighty character. I must have lunch with Kitty before I die.) Playing Lucy’s fiancé Jonathan is Candice Handy who gives us one of the most lovable nerdy characters to grace the stage. While Jonathan certainly has his flaws, Ms. Handy does his character proud and changes before our very eyes with professional ease.
Billy Chace has some of the best line deliveries in his turn as several characters. Most of us know his comedy chops are fully seasoned and he makes his whirlwind set of characters seem like an everyday mid-morning stretch. Mr. Chace also provides what this reviewer finds to be one of the funniest inside laughs when he very pointedly calls one of his co-stars by her government name. Matching wits with him every step of the way is the inimitable Kelly Mengelkoch. While she shines in every role, her entire physical depiction of Dr. Van Helsing is a master class in acting genius. I can not believe Ms. Mengelkoch has ever met a role she can not tackle.
Welcome Back, Mr. Guthrie
Last but certainly not least, audiences have the privilege of seeing Christopher Guthrie’s return to the Cincy Shakes stage in the titular role. His embodiment of the blood-thirsty – not to mention lusty – count is exceptional. With a brilliantly muddled accent and a personality which takes up the entire stage, Mr. Guthrie will have you laughing and perhaps crushing a little from start to finish. We are so lucky to have him back in Cincinnati!
The Sweet and Lowdown
It is no secret that I’m a huge Dracula fan. (I spotted the theme to several of films being played in the background, for goodness sakes). To that end, I will admit I was a wee bit wary of the idea of this show. But Mr. Guthrie so appropriately pointed out in his Opening Night toast that having a dark, macabre Dracula right now just didn’t seem quite right. As a whole, a good laugh (or many) is welcome with open arms. Cheers to Mr. Phillips et al for reading the room and gifting us with this comedic gem.
Get Tickets to Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors presented by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company runs now through November 1st. For more information about the production and to purchase tickets, please visit here.
