Cappies Review: Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' At Lake Braddock Secondary

By Maryn Brown of Westfield High School

Counts, capes and unfortunate fates featured at Lake Braddock Secondary School's hair-raising production of Bram Stoker's “Dracula.”

The gothic novel, Dracula, written by Abraham (Bram) Stoker, was published in 1897. Steven Dietz was inspired to write the stage play adaptation nearly a century later and the play was first debuted by the Arizona Theatre Company in 1995. Dracula has also been adapted for film and television as the story continues to terrify readers and viewers alike.

Audiences were transported to England in the fall of 1897. Lucy Westenra has fallen ill, and the only clue as to what caused her ailment is a mysterious mark on her neck. Worried, her friend Mina and her suitor Dr. Seward call upon Professor Van Helsing to aid in the search for a cure.

Meanwhile, after returning from his visit with The Count in Transylvania, Jonathan Harker started acting uncharacteristically paranoid, leading the Professor to believe that he is the key to solving Lucy's mystery illness. Insanity and gore haunt the five of them as they hunt for what, or whom, is tormenting Lucy.

The moment they set foot on stage, Lake Rusch as Wilhelmina "Mina" Murray delivered a mature performance. Rusch's nervous mannerisms matched Mina's character and complimented Alex Perry as Mina's fiancé, Jonathan Harker. Perry's facial expressions and flighty movements made Harker's paranoia feel genuine, particularly in flashback scenes involving Harker's time at the Count's estate.

The blood-curdling screams and haunting gaze of Lucy Westenra, played by Amelia Campbell-Reidhead, horrified even the most stoic of audience members. Her Corpse-Bride-esque appearance in Act Two sent ripples of chills across the auditorium as Dr. John Seward, portrayed by Ben Mills, watched, in anguish, as his undead love came towards him.

The enigmatic Dracula himself, portrayed by Jonathan Barnard, offered an intimidating performance. Barnard's deep voice and grand stature demanded attention. He embodied the shadows and put fear into the hearts of those unlucky enough to meet him.

R.M. Renfield, played by Noelle Koss, was an unpredictably deranged character. Koss masterfully navigated the tormented mind of Renfield and delivered an unparalleled performance. Switching between sarcasm and shrieks, Koss's security without sanity was distinct.

Along with the ghostly Transylvanians, Dracula's "disciples of the night" provided an eerie atmosphere. Their synchronization and interactions with actors, as well as audience members, made for a ghastly performance.

The supernatural sounds were thanks to Leah Dutcher who provided creepy music and ringing while characters interacted with Dracula. The lighting team, Katie Brusseau and Sungah Kong worked in tandem with special effects, by Soeun Lee, to create a colorful yet sinister ambiance using fuchsia hues and several fog machines.

The props, courtesy of Kat Brill, included steaming pails and dusty wine bottles and were extremely detailed. Angelia DeJesus, costumes, and Emily Brennan, make-up, fabricated period-accurate costumes, and authentic-looking wigs. Several costumes were also realistically dyed to mimic the appearance of fresh blood.

As for the set itself, the cascading staircase and operational window cleverly distinguished the different places characters went. Stage manager Alexandra Wyant skillfully coordinated all these dynamic pieces while the stage crew made seamless transitions between scenes.

Lake Braddock Secondary School's ghoulish rendition of Bram Stoker's Dracula made the audience feel as if they were the "only living soul within this place."