Improv Playhouse performs Dracula, October 29
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEIMPROV PLAYHOUSEImprov Playhouse Theater, 735 N. Milwaukee, Libertyville, Il 60048 847-968-4529
Improv Playhouse will be performing the Bram Stoker's classic novel Dracula as a staged radio drama using the original 1938 Orson Welles’ script on Saturday October 29th. The story has been adapted many times for stage and screen, from F. W. Murnau's plagiarism, Nosferatu (1922), to the Balderston-Deane stage adaptation (which served as the basis for the famous 1931 Tod Browning movie Dracula starring Bela Lugosi), all the way through to Gary Oldman's chilling performance of the Count in Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 version. David Stuart, Executive Producer at IP and the Director of Dracula is very excited about this adaptation which he and many others claim is, “by far the closest to the original novel. The little-known hour-long radio drama adaptation aired on July 11, 1938 mere months before his (in)famous 1938 radio broadcast of War of the Worlds, which we produced last year around the same time.” Many people do not realize that Welles was only 23 years old when he and his Mercury Theater company were invited by Columbia Broadcasting to do a series of theatrical performances for radio. “These were mostly adaptations of classic works of literature into hour-long radio plays,” says Stuart. “The first of these was the Mercury Theater on the Air's performance of this piece. Very cool stuff!” Improv Playhouse will also be creating a festive environment with treats and other fun surprises during the night of performances. “It is going to be a night of just plain clean fun,” says Stuart.
In addition to directing the performance Stuart will be playing several roles. “But unlike Welles I will not be playing Dracula…I’m playing Van Helsing. I love the German Dutch dialect and he is, afterall, the hero! My friend and fellow local SAG (Screen Actors Guild) actor, Michael Scott Blackman will be playing the count.” Blackman, a Deerfield and Los Angeles resident, has appeared in several features in his career having been directed by such notables as Martin Scorsese, Danny Devito, Jerry Bruckheimer and, Chicago favorite, John Hughes. The rest of the cast includes another SAG actor, George Elliott from Hainesville, Rim Milunas (Libertyville), Amy Billings (Gurnee), David Weiser (Park Ridge)and making her debut at IP, Lake Forest resident and IP Teen Improv Ensemble member, 18 year old Ingrid Lustig playing the role of Mina.
Asked how the Improv Playhouse Radio Players are presenting the story Stuart replied, “We stage the drama much like those recorded in front of a live audience. We’ll have some performed and recorded sound affects. The story is presented in the form of diary readings and newspaper clippings, much as in the book. Much of the dialogue is straight from the original, Dracula's in particular. Michael manages a sinister performance as the count with accented voice fully conveying Dracula's dark majesty and malevolence.” One gets the impression that Welles takes an almost palpable delight in leaving his audience guessing until the very end.”, says Stuart. “And far be it from me to spoil such a masterful creation.” Performance times: 7:30 & 9:00. Pre-Sale $12.50 Adults. $7.50 Seniors, Students & Military. At the Door: $15.00 Adults: $10.00 Seniors, Students & Military. Come in a Costume take $2 off! (At the door only). Visit www.improvplayhouse.com or call 847-968-4529 for ticket orders.
Improv Playhouse performs Dracula, October 29
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