"Dracula" to Christen Renovated R.P. Hibbs Auditorium
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Author John Mattera's adaptation of Bram Stoker's original "Dracula" is a Halloween haunting at its best.
And, the posh surroundings of the newly renovated R.P. Hibbs Auditorium will be christened with this beautiful play during two performances on Friday, October 28 at 7 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 3 p.m.
Coleman & Co. will skip the traditional Saturday performance to yield to the Mardi Gras parade and festival Saturday night in Pinckneyville.
But, don't worry. The expanded seating in the beautiful auditorium should take care of everyone during the two performances. There isn't a bad seat in the house with surround sound and large video screens displaying the performance.
"I am so excited," says producer and director Lisa Coleman, whose dream it was to see the 1950s vintage theater completely renovated.
The new stage draperies will part on a play that's all Halloween with just a touch of turn-of-the-century sexy.
There are 15 members in the cast and another 15 members in the production crew, which will work alongside the installers in the coming weeks to learn the all new sound and lighting logistics of the theater. There is even a fog machine built into the renovated stage.
"We had practice last Saturday and to see the new seating--to see everything--it is more than I had hoped for," said Mrs. Coleman.
"Something kind of cool is the fact that seniors are reading Dracula in their English classes and should finish just before the play," she said.
The dress is turn-of-the-century with the girls' costumes looking like something out of "Little Women." The men will be dressed in ascots. "Dracula is suppose to be a little sexy," she smiles.
We'll leave the details to an upcoming edition of The Magnavox, but the newspaper will be there for the dress rehearsals.
Practical and playable, this stage adaptation is closely based on the original, presenting the frightening story that made this a horror classic. The mysterious Count Dracula has gone to England where he is living on a large estate next to an insane asylum run by the incredibly naive Dr. Seward. The others that make up the cast of this thriller include Professor Van Helsing who must convince Dr. Seward that Count Dracula is a vampire; Renfield, a fly-eating lunatic who serves the Count (once too often); beautiful Lucy Westenra, who has an uncanny resemblance to a girl Count Dracula loved over a hundred years ago; Charles, the Westenra family butler whose poor eyesight saves him from being hypnotized; as well as three female vampires! The plot develops with all the excitement of the original and then, in the end, the audience is given the jolt of a startling double twist.
Plan to enjoy the ultimate Vampire experience. Meet Dracula as he attempts to seduce the lovely Lucy into joining him in eternity. See how his lustful thirst becomes a distraction, leaving him vulnerable to the ultimate Vampire hunter Professor Van Helsing. Hold on tight, take a deep breath and listen to your heart beat. Romance is in the air as you're whisked away into a world of passion - of Vampires - of lunatics, lovers, and uncertain allies.
The play is a perfect complement to the Mardi Gras weekend. It will be the best ticket in Southern Illinois.