Don’t Miss: Last Weekend For Dazzling Production Of 'Bram Stoker’s Dracula' At Southampton Arts Center

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — What better time than just days before Halloween, to take a terrifying journey to the dark and chilling world of 1888 Transylvania — where Dracula awaits, in all his vibrant, blood-sucking glory?

In Southampton, a new, chilling version of "Bram Stoker's Dracula" has audiences captivated and chilled — while the cast is equally caught up in the horrifying magic of breathing new, and terrifying life, to the blood-soaked Gothic classic. It's a show that inspires not just a dark, unsettling sense of dread, but a singular, life-altering look into the very human soul.

Presented by Center Stage at Southampton Arts Center “Bram Stoker’s Dracula,” performed in radio format and adapted for the stage by Philip Grecian, runs through Sunday.

According to director Michael Disher, Stoker’s "brooding tale of seduction, power, eternal life, hungers and thirsts," remains faithful to the source material.

The cast includes Daniel Becker, Richard Adler, Mary Sabo, Franco Pistritto, Elizabeth Wyld, Michaal Lyn Schepps, Kyle Paseka, Michael Ponella, Taylor Tybaert, and Tim Ferris as Count Dracula.

And what they've created is an homage not just to one of the finest Gothic tales of all time — but a production, bathed in red light and smoke and marked by shrieks of fear and despair, that's unlike anything ever seen before on a Hamptons stage. It's at once both grand in scale and piercingly intimate as the very demons of the human heart are laid bare.

The show offers a rare chance to experience the classic in its theatrical adaptation, Disher said.

"Dracula" touches a deep and sometimes, forbidden, chord, Disher said. "I’m always intrigued by the thirst for power and control over others. What drives this and what allows one’s weakness to succumb to another is a great mystery to me. What exactly contributes to this powerful equation can be debated on so many levels. It is a primal conflict within most men and most fiction."

The show unfolds with performances so gripping, an audience is white-knuckled at their seats, literally jumping at times in fright as the music, lighting and direction transport — to a place where unearthly passions are unleashed and quite simply, anything can happen, and does.

To start, Tim Ferris as Count Dracula, oozes with sinister, stalking his prey with fierce calculation and cunning. His laugh — oh, that maniacal, unhinged, blood-chilling laughter of the undead— is a hallmark of the show that literally leaves one cold with terror.

Franco Pistritto, as R.M. Renfield, is luminous in his masterful portrayal of a man's dazzling descent into madness — he's riveting in every turn, every nuance, every gesture, small and grand. His fascination with insects, consuming them to absorb their life and energy as he bestows abject devotion upon his Dracula, is one of the most compelling character studies into the human psyche that this reviewer has ever seen.

Daniel Becker, as Dr. Abraham Van Helsing, simply shines as narrator of the winding story. Richard Adler, as Dr. Jack Steward, Mary Sabo as the timeless Mina Harker and Taylor Tybaert, as Jonathan Harkner, Elizabeth Wyld as Lucy Westenra, all captivate as they instill in audiences a burgeoning sense of dread, managing with ease the twists and turns that lead to the death of innocence and unleashing of the darkest corners the soul.

Michael Ponella as Williams, Michael Lyn Schepps as the announcer, and Kyle Paseka as Birdie are all dazzling in their performances.

And, of course, there is Disher himself, a master of his craft, second to simply none. With his "Dracula," he's painstakingly painted to life on the stage, in vivid color and detail, a Dracula that terrifies once born, a creature whose laugh is so simply blood-curdling it will keep the sweet comfort of sleep at bay for weeks to come.

"I've never directed 'Dracula' before, never brought him to life. It's harrowing," Disher said. "What I've determined about 'Dracula' is that it's really more of a Gothic mystery than anything else. It's not just a story about, 'Let’s find Dracula and kill him!' but instead, how do you put all these pieces together to realize you are dealing with something that you have never dealt with before?"

Disher said he learned so much about the story by reading the novel "Dracula" by Bram Stoker. "It's very dense," and took time to absorb, but was gripping and life-changing, Disher said.

And, he added, there has long been a fascination round the world with the character of Dracula, the "Most Portrayed Literary Character in Film," according to the Guiness Book of World Records — ahead of even Sherlock Holmes. "Dracula is the king of the undead, in film and television," Disher said.

Put simply, Dracula epitomizes the evil audience just can't resist.

When asked what about the blood-sucking monster who yet, despite his own deadly intent, draws audiences with enthusiasm, Disher said: "I think people like to be scared. People like stories about the unknown and to me, that’s been one of the joys of presenting this Dracula. Because nothing is clearly outlined, even for Dracula."

He added: "Bram Stoker pointed out that Dracula didn’t know all his possibilities and capabilities upon his initial introduction to the world. As he lived through all these centuries and lifetimes, he began to cultivate skills knowledge and abilities, so by the time he reached 1888, he was a full-fledged master of himself. He finally began to understand his potential and power. And all of these subsidiary characters are now trying to figure out, 'Okay, how do we combat something that is so beyond us in skill — and do we have the capabilities to destroy it?"

A clear message that resonates in Disher's production is the innate, inexplicable desire of humankind to destroy or kill what they do not understand or know.

Working with Disher is a gift for every actor who's ever basked in his tutelage, Ferris said.

"Michael Disher is brilliant. He’s directed some of the best theatre on Long Island, and I think that very few productions out here on the East End have matched his level of artistry. I first became aware of Michael when I was in high school and I saw his production of The Fantasticks in 2008, which I absolutely loved. I got to work with him soon after that as a performer in The History Boys in 2009, and I got to learn firsthand how he approaches directing and storytelling."

The cast reflected on the experience at a recent performance. "I loved the book so much," said Paseka. "Even though it was written over 200 years ago, the suspense didn't feel dated at all. I hope audiences enjoy the book, too, as much as I did."

Ponella said he, too, is an avid student of Gothic literature.

Wyld said she's been drawn to the story of Dracula since she was eight years old. "It was my introduction to theater," when her father was in the show. "I was just enraptured. I went to every single performance. That's what kind of lit me on fire with the theater bug. My father passed away in 2020, but this show is very close to my heart."

Tybaert has been a production assistant at the SAC for some time. "Not until Dracula did I have the motivation to audition. I'm also very partial to Gothic literature."

Sabo said simply, "I'll do any show that Michael does." Having known Disher since she was 18, she has long remained loyal to his tutelage and craft. She said Dracula is "the most interesting radio show we’ve ever done. What I like about it is, it's a hybrid, a combination of blocking, drama and theater, the set and the lights. I don’t think we could have had a better sort of ambiance laid out for this. And obviously, it’s the perfect time of the year for Dracula."

And, she added: "What’s interesting and neat about this is that even though the name Dracula will appeal to mass audiences, they also get an education in Gothic literature. I think that’s what becomes really, really important in shows like this. That people get an education about the theater."

Lyn Schepps also sang Disher's praises. "If Michael has a show, I'm there."

Adler credited Disher for encouraging him back to the stage after 30 years. "He nurtured my comeback," he said. "There are always pearls of wisdom, coming from Michael."

Becker said Disher has challenged him as an actor in all the ways that matter. With a smile, he added, of Dracula: "I'm a doctor and I like playing a doctor."

"Bram Stoker's Dracula" is a dazzling display of artistry, a chilling tale and cautionary tale that simply must be seen.

The show also features stage management by Joey Giovingo and lighting and sound by Kenneth Blessing.

"Bram Stoker’s Dracula" is presented through special arrangements with Dramatic Publishing. The production is sponsored in part by Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, Yaffa Foundation and LMS Design.

Performances take place through Sunday, October 26, with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $25/$20 for SAC members.

For additional information and to purchase tickets, click here. Center Stage at Southampton Arts Center is located at 25 Jobs Lane in Southampton.