Riki Mitakides both adapted and directed This Gem City Groundlings production of Jewel of the Seven Stars. Bram Stoker’s novel, The Jewel of the Seven Stars, written in 1903, over 125 years ago, centers on a rogue archaeologist, Abel Trelawny (Chuck Larkowski). In the original story, Trelawny evolves from simply studying and collecting historical artifacts to deeply believing in the prophecies and actively participating in fulfilling destiny.
Ancient Egyptology can be intriguing, and its mysterious origins have fascinated people for millennia. Trelawny is captivated by Queen Tera, an ancient Egyptian sorceress-queen and ruler of immense intellect, ambition, and mastery of the occult. In this brief retelling, Trelawny’s attempt to recreate Tera’s ritual leads to devastating consequences.
Plot and Cast of Jewel of the Seven Stars
This adaptation features the doomed participant, Margaret Trelawny, Trelawny’s daughter, played by Jaicie Graham. She has been taught some archeology by her father and arrives at his secluded mansion, where he conducts experiments. After one of these experiments goes astray, the father is seemingly deceased, and Margaret unwittingly assembles a team by summoning an old love interest, Malcolm Ross (Garrett Young). Dr. Winchester (the Groundlings’ own Andrew Mitakides) is the doctor overseeing Abel’s alleged death. Rounding out the team is Abel’s assistant, Eugene Corbeck (Aeson Liddic) who arrives with more stolen artifacts to complete the transfer. An investigator (Andy Crawford) seems more like an afterthought in this revision.
The actors in this production do outstanding work. They pull off a tremendous feat, by adding some flesh to a skeleton of a story. Graham, especially, shows promise of becoming a standout actor.
Production Team
The set by Rick Sagraves is convincing, with carefully assembled, ancient-looking artifacts in the small space that revolves around Trelawny’s office. The Groundlings’ set designs frequently feature intimate settings where the audience sits adjacent to the set, feeling as if they are part of the action rather than simply watching. This really challenges the actors to keep their focus on their craft, given how close the audience is. The performers meet this challenge.
The sound by Greg Forsthoefel is strong, as usual, even though there wasn’t any pre-show announcer to guide the performance.
What’s unfortunate about this local adaptation of the lauded tale is its lack of emotional depth and the authentic eeriness one may expect of a Bram Stoker piece, especially in the month leading to Halloween. While the show has some strengths, there could have been more left from the original story to present a more satisfying play. In an attempt to appease modern audiences, it’s a reminder to us that sometimes it’s okay to let the mummies take time to reinvent themselves.
Jewel of the Seven Stars runs through September 27, 2026. Tickets are available at this link: https://www.gemcitygroundlings.com/event-details/jewel-of-the-seven-stars-2026-09-22-19-30-1
All shows are at TheatreLab Dayton, 116 N Jefferson St, Dayton, OH.
