Holland theater group performs musical version of Dracula – HollandSentinel.com

Lori. Timmer @hollandsentinel.com,(616) 546-4262 @SentinelLori

Holland Civic Theatre invites the community to experience a quiet evening at the Seward household. Or is it?

In it's newest production, "Dracula: The Musical?" Sam and Sophie Seward (Daniel Knieper, Makenna VanRaalte) run an insane asylum and live in the place with their daughter Mina (Kristen Kneiper) and maid Nelly Norton (MacKenzie Vesper).

Sophie has planned a dinner party for new neighbor, Dracula (David Dannels). But a visit by family friend, Bubu Padoop (Chloe Bos) makes for an uneven number at the table, so the hostess invites asylum resident Renfield (Alex Dannels) to even things out. News of the party brings vampire fighter Dr. Van Helsing (Jack Waalkes) out to warn the family of the dangers of associating with the evil count. But first he needs to prove to them that vampires do, in fact, exist. When Dracula takes a special interest in the Sewards daughter, the action heats up to find her and rescue her before its too late.

Local teens have worked this summer with Director Jim Griffin and Assistant Director Jessica Fox to bring this singing and dancing extravaganza to the Holland stage. Michelle Knieper is the show's producer.

Those involved in the production say to make sure to keep a close eye (and ear) on the stage as there are a lot of inside jokes and play on words to watch for as well. The show starts with an unlikely premise and proceeds to a ridiculous conclusion featuring the previously unknown virtues of pot roast.

Called a mini-musical, the show has 17 songs and is a cross between Mel Brooks and Gilbert and Sullivan.

"It is a delightful spoof of the classic horror tale is an unparalleled romp from start to finish," said board member Lynda DeCan of the show. "The teens have really pulled it together. ... It's a very funny, slapstick show."

"Dracula, the Musical?" opened last week, and continues with shows at 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 17-19; with a 2 p.m. matinee Aug. 19. Tickets are $10 and are available at hollandcivictheatre.org or by calling the box office at 616-396-2021. Box office hours are 6-8:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and one hour prior to showtimes on the weekend. Holland Civic Theatre is at 50 W. Ninth St., Holland.

Follow this reporter on Twitter @SentinelLori or @SentinelGOmag.

Read more:
Holland theater group performs musical version of Dracula - HollandSentinel.com

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero