Written by orange• October 13, 2024• 1:02 pm• Review, Santa Ana, Santa Ana College, Theater, Uncategorized

World Premiere: Dracula @ Santa Ana College – Review

Photo credit: Carin Jacobs

Written by Zach Johnston

Looking at today’s TV and films, it’s clear our appetite for horror is as strong as ever. Many works in this genre are successful based on their frequency of jump scares or level of blood and gore, but true horror comes from a place far more personal. For that reason, live theater ought to be the perfect venue for some good old classic horror.

Dracula, a new play by Wyn Moreno and Andrea Decker, is an ambitiously earnest theatrical experience that seeks to bring the art of horror to the stage. The creators of this production set out to capture the essence of experiencing the terrors of their source material and to do it in a way that connects to modern theatergoers.

Story:

Imran Curic plays Count Dracula in this production from the Santa Ana College Theatre Department. The version of the Count we get in this is not far from the iconic imagery of the character, which has endured, but it does include a layered perspective of who this person is, what he is, and what motivates him.

Driven by a desire for power and to spread his eternal curse, Dracula arranges to go to London with the help of English solicitor Jonathan Harker. As he travels to meet the Count and begins to fall victim to his deception, Jonathan recounts his experience through letters to his fiance, Wilhelmina (Mina) Murray. As Dracula’s plans begin to take effect, the characters seek out the help of Prof. Ibrahim Van Helsing to put an end to the vampire’s terror.

Acting:

Based on the original novel from the 1890s, this adaptation tells the story from a new perspective, with Mina serving as the narrator and main protagonist. Madeline Loewe-Pollack sets the eerie and gothic tone right from the start as her character welcomes audiences into what is now her narrative. As Mina guides audiences through the story, Loewe-Pollack is engaged and energetic while she peels back the layers of her character.

In the titular role, Curic’s stage presence is both captivating and unnerving. His portrayal of the Count hearkens back to the popular versions of the villain but is careful not to drift into caricature. Curic’s Dracula has an ominous sophistication that is balanced perfectly alongside Loewe-Pollack’s performance.

While some of the supporting performances falter due to a lack of well-rounded characterization, there are certainly standout performances.

Lieu-Thu Phan takes on the role of Van Helsing with an unmatched sense of eagerness. Phan breathes new life into the storied character while staying true to the swashbuckling persona. Marco Garcia plays Renfield, an unsuspecting devoted servant of Dracula’s. Garcia’s subtle yet unsettling performance offers viewers tantalizing clues into his true nature while leaving just the right amount to the imagination.

Set Design:

The presentation would not be complete without the proper lighting, sound, and scenic design bringing this story together. The show’s original score by Max Moreno creates a beautiful blend of tension and fear. Together with David Zahacewski’s tactful lighting and Kevin Slay’s adaptive scenic design, the magic of this dark story becomes even more real.