Review by Joe Siegel

There have been numerous adaptations of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” over the years, but seeing Rhode Island Stage Ensemble’s production gave me a new perspective.

At the heart of all horror stories is an undercurrent of tragedy. There is plenty of tragedy in this story, which is the result of one man’s bloodlust and thirst for immortality.

Doctor Seward (James Laurent) is infatuated with Lucy (Juliet Antonio) but lacks the self-confidence to believe he would be a worthy husband to her. Instead, he offers her his friendship. The possibility of a romance between them is swiftly extinguished.

Lucy’s friend Mina (Brittney Simard) has her own problems. Her boyfriend, the attorney Jonathan Harker (Tom Hamami) has fallen under the persuasion of his client in Transylvania. Harker is traumatized by the bizarre goings on in Dracula’s castle and attempts suicide.

One day, Lucy discovers a mysterious bite mark on her neck. She suffers from nightmares and grows increasingly weak. Seward calls in Professor Van Helsing (John Softcheck) from Amsterdam to help the poor girl.

Van Helsing warns Seward and Mina about the curse of the undead. Unless Dracula is destroyed, his victims will be doomed to walk the earth in a comatose state, following his bloody example.

Director Rose Linnell’s staging is imaginative and the set design and lighting (Tom Viall) create an eerie and unsettling mood. Much of the action takes place in the mental asylum run by Seward. His patient Renfield (gleefully portrayed by Mark Carter) escapes and causes havoc for everyone.

And what of Dracula? Jonathan McDowell combines a grotesque charm with a terrifying malevolence as he mercilessly stalks his prey. He is also a tragic figure, sleeping all day, awakening in the darkness to feast on flesh.

All the performances are well executed (no pun intended) in this show. Laurent is dashingly handsome and appropriately anguished as Seward contends with his demented patient Renfield and valiantly tries to save Lucy.

Softcheck brings a stately authority to Van Helsing, whose knowledge of the supernatural is desperately needed to stop Dracula. He is armed with a crucifix, a mirror, an iron stake, and plenty of garlic.

Simard and Antonio bring conviction and vulnerability to Mina and Lucy as they fight to resist Dracula’s seduction. Antonio is quite convincing as Lucy falls under Dracula’s spell.

This is not a show which is suitable for young children. There is disturbing imagery, lots of death, and some violence. Teenagers should be alright with it.

As a Halloween primer, “Dracula” provides plenty of chills and thrills, plus a sense of emotional devastation which reflects the inner torment of these characters. Cue the violins.

Rating: Three and a half (out of four stars).

Dracula runs through October 25. Rhode Island Stage Ensemble. Performances at Assembly Theater, Burrillville, RI. Runtime is 2 hours, 15 minutes including intermission. For tickets, visit ristage.org.

Juliet Antonio and John Softcheck. Courtesy of Rhode Island Stage Ensemble.

Jonathan McDowell and Brittney Simard.

James Laurent and Mark Carter.