In Ted Tiller's adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula, the bulk of the action takes place at psychiatrist Dr. Seward's living quarters on the grounds of the Asylum for the Insane in 1930s England. At dinner one night the characters—Dr. Seward; Sybil, Seward's slightly daft sister; Mina, Seward's ward, suffering a mysterious affliction that leaves her lethargic and anemic; Mina's fianc?e, Jonathan Harker; Professor Heinrich Van Helsing, a foreign disease specialist; and Count Dracula, a Transylvanian aristocrat visiting England—are brought together. Van Helsing realizes that the count is a vampire preying upon young Mina.
The group attempts to thwart Dracula's plans, but his vampiric powers aid his escapes from destruction. Eventually Seward and crew descend to Count Dracula's crypt and attempt to destroy the vampire in his lair.
This Halloween season, The Country Players perform Count Dracula, Tiller's adaptation of Stoker's ghoulish book. The production is directed by Dave Grout, produced by Amy Connelly and stars Mark Hildreth (pictured) as Count Dracula.
Also, in Pittsfield this All Hallow's Eve, choreographer and director Darrell Pucciarellos presents a decidedly different version of the classic Transylvanian tale, Ballet Metropolis' production of Dracula. Complete with plies and a child bride, the show features an elaborate set designed by Carl Sprague, extravagant Victorian-era costumes by Brenda Baird Connelly and an original score by composer David Edwards.
Count Dracula: Oct. 31-Nov. 1 and Nov.7-8, 8 p.m. $10/seniors and kids, $12/general, Shea Theater, 71 Ave. A, Turners Falls, (413) 863-2281, www.countryplayers.org; Darrell Pucciarellos' Ballet Metropolis production of Dracula: Oct. 31, 8 p.m. and Nov. 1, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., The Colonial Theatre, 111 Pittsfield, (413) 997-4444, www.TheColonialTheatre.org.
