A Review of BU Theatre’s Production of Dracula

As a massive fan of Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula, as well as the various different adaptations of the character over the years, I for one was excited to see the Bluefield University Theater Department perform a rendition of the story, and it did not disappoint.

Starting about halfway through the novel’s narrative, this Dracula production focuses most on the happenings at the Seward house after Dracula arrives in town. He arrives following the sickness and slow transformation of Lucy Seward from human to familiar. Her father, Jack Harker, and Dr. Van Helsing attempt to care for her, while also trying to defeat the vampire that has caused her this distress.

First I must praise the lighting of this show. It’s moody and deep colors elevate it beyond belief making it feel truly like the gothic horror tale it is; although due to the mention of airplanes I imagine this story is ever so slightly more modern than the Stoker tale.

The performances were wonderful. Noah Jennings stands out as the lunatic Renfield, Dracula’s servant and a complete mad man, who is given the perfect amount of stage time to not be overbearing, but convincingly insane. Dracula is played by Derek Crews, who shines in his scenes. Brian Fisher plays Harker, Abigail McComas is Lucy, General Smith is Dr. Seward, and Rebecca McCoy-Reese is Van Helsing.

Dracula truly was a wonderful show, and the effects given from both the lighting to even the shockingly violent death of Renfield at the hands of Dracula made for an excellently entertaining horror show for the season.