PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: 9/7/2022

Contact: Andrew Rothman
From: Chagrin Valley Little Theatre

40 River Street
Chagrin Falls, OH 44122
Phone: 440-247-8955
E-mail: cvlt@cvlt.org
Website: www.CVLT.org

CVLT takes an early bite of the Halloween season with DRACULA

CHAGRIN FALLS, OH - Chagrin Valley Little Theatre plants a stake in your Halloween season with Steven Dietz's spooky adaptation of Bram Stoker's DRACULA. The production runs Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 PM on the stage at CVLT 40 River Street from September 16 to October 1, with a matinee on 9/25 at 2 PM. Tickets are $21, with a $4 discount for seniors, students, and military. Reservations can be made in advance at CVLT.org or by phone at (440) 247-8955.

Dietz, who is one of the most produced playwrights in America, made an effort to stick to the original plot and language of Stoker's genre-defining 1897 novel in his script. He avoids turning the famous Count into a metaphor, and focuses solely on making him "a brilliant, seductive, fanged beast waiting to suck the blood from your throat." Although the play isn't intended for children and has its share of blood, audiences shouldn't expect anything too gory or salacious. Director Mason Stewart describes it as "a spine-tingling, unsettling, PG-13 thriller."

The play chronicles the journey of Count Dracula (played by Will Mortensen) from Transylvania to England, where he stalks young Mina (Mayim Hamblen) and her best friend Lucy (Grace Feidt). The vampire's pursuit is hampered by Mina's fiancé Jonathan (Dan Bednar) and his associates, including Dr. Seward (Christopher Wuehler) and his old professor Dr. Van Helsing (Kevin Jones).

As the friends try to stay one step ahead of the monster, literally risking their necks to piece together and foil his murderous plans, audiences will also meet Dr. Seward's mad patient, Renfield (Jackson Coughlin), who serves as light comic relief and occasional narrator. Hannah Elwood and Amanda Nyx round out the cast as Dracula's seductive minions and other characters.

DRACULA, which is the first production of CVLT's 93rd Season, features scenic and technical effects by Tom West, costumes by Jackie Kruyne, props by Ed Butch, and original music by Andrew Rothman. It is produced by Cindee Catalano-Edelman with Erin Stewart serving as Stage Manager.

Chagrin Valley Little Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded through individual and corporate contributions. Our programming is made possible in part by the citizens of Cuyahoga Country through Cuyahoga County Arts and Culture and by state tax dollars allocated by the Ohio Legislature to the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

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