Classic Theater Guild announces auditions for Dracula
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors is loosely based on Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula. It is a fast paced 90 minute vampire tale.
Synopsis:
Jonathan Harper travels to Transylvania to meet Dracula, who sets his sights on Lucy, Jonathan’s fiancee. Lucy’s sister, Mina, suddenly falls ill to a mysterious blood ailment.
Lucy and Jonathan enlist the help of renowned Dr. Jean Van Helsing to hunt down Dracula. They chase Dracula from Transylvania, London, and back. Throughout it all much fun ensues as the story unfolds poking fun at social norms akin to Mel Brooks or Monty Python.
Characters:
Count Dracula: Captivatingly charming narcissistic vampire from Transylvania who is suffering from an existential crisis. He feels lonely in his longevity.
Male presenting. Age: 20’s to 40’s, depending on other casting.
Jonathan Harper: Nerdy realtor who travels to Transylvania to meet Dracula and gets caught up in Dracula’s web. He later transforms into a sexy being.
Male presenting. Age: 20’s to 40’s, depending on other casting.
Lucy Westfeldt: Jonathan’s fiancee. Brilliant and adventurous microbiologist who finds Dracula intriguing. They both share similar interests.
Female presenting. Age: 20’s to 40’s, depending on other casting.
Mina Westfeldt: Lucy’s sister, who Dracula infects with a mysterious blood disease. She feels as the black sheep of the family as all eyes are always on her sister, Lucy.
Female presenting. Age: 20’s to 40’s, depending on other casting.
Dr. Jean Van Helsing: Brilliant vampire hunting doctor who is enlisted to help cure Mina and defeat Dracula. She is a strong, independent, force to be reckoned with. Heavy German or other accent.
Female presenting. Age: 40’s to 60’s, depending on other casting.
Dr. Wallace Westfeldt: Lucy and Mina’s father. He is a doctor who shares his home with his criminally insane patients. He recently lost his wife. He is self important.
Male presenting. Age: 40’s to 60’s, depending on other casting.
Renfield: One of Dr. Westfeldt’s insane patients. He is obsessed with insects and has low self-esteem. He later becomes Dracula’s servant.
Male or female presenting. Age: totally flexible. Actors must show zest for life and expressive facial expressions.
Kitty Rutherford: Easily distracted mental patient of Dr. Westfeldt. She serves as the housekeeper and is a kleptomaniac. Funny eclectic character with great comedic timing.
Female or male presenting. Age: totally flexible.
Lord Cavendish: Scottish ignoramus and Lucy’s suitor.
Lord Worthington: Distinguished and petulant British gentleman and also Lucy’s suitor.
Lord Havemercy: Arrogant Texan and also Lucy’s suitor
All three Lords may be played by the same actor using different accents.
Male presenting. Age: flexible.
Driver: Transylvanian carriage driver who tries to warn Jonathan about Dracula. Funny character with heavy accent of sorts.
Male or female presenting. Age: totally flexible.
Captain: Sea Captain of a doomed ship ala Old Man and the Sea character.
Male or female presenting. Age: flexible.
Bosun: A scurvy seaman who goes down with the ship in a storm.
Male or female presenting. Age: flexible.
Gravedigger: Drunk gravedigger with a secret.
Male or female presenting. Age: flexible
Hope to see you at auditions on Sunday, July 20, at 3:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, July 23, at 7:00 p.m. at the Congregation Beth Israel located at 2195 Eastern Parkway, Niskayuna, NY.
Performance dates are Thursday October 30, Saturday November 1, Thursday, November 6, Saturday, November 8, Sunday November 2, and Sunday, November 9.
