Kate Vangeloff as Dracula
Photo Credit: Wanda Borland
Nestled in the heart of the Applegate Valley, cradled by majestic mountains, lies Longsword Vineyard, the playing grounds for Wanderlust Theatre Company, now showing their second production of Dracula, an original adaptation expertly written by Kate Vangeloff and Jae Unker. The show opened this weekend with roaring success, despite rain-fall, leaving audiences with a gasp for breath and a thrilling experience.
Jae Unker as Lucy and Kate Southern as Mina
Photo Credit: Lia Dugal
Although a well-known story, this adaptation is revealed in true Wanderlust fashion, known for its experiential, cinematic experience of live theatre, wherein the audience travels from set to set with the characters as the story unfolds, keeping the audience rapt attention in enthrallment.
Nathan Green as Dr. Van Helsing
Photo Credit: Wanda Borland
The play is divinely directed by Nathan Green and Madeline DeCourcey in a way that highlights the natural talents and character work of each performer. In a very real way, there is no star or diva with Wanderlust and in this production itself, but the ensemble is just that, the true starring role. Each performer births their character allowing the revealing of the story according to their viewpoint, as in life, we only know the story according to our perspective. Then, in a true to life fashion, the characters' experiences weave together as the action unfolds, seemingly coming together in love and opposition sometimes simultaneously, as they find a way to overcome the challenges they face. Relationships merge, then collide, showcasing that where there is love, there is always the constant of both light and dark.
Tim Coatney as Johnathan Harker, Kate Southern as Mina, Tiffany Schechter as Dr. Jack Seward, and
Abby Brown as Arthur Holmwood
Photo Credit: Wanda Borland
Then again, the story of Dracula itself, although fanciful, lends itself to holding up a mirror to our very own psyches, as we realize that the propensity for good or for evil lie within each of us. In a very real sense, there is no black or white, but all of us have within the nuance of shades of grey. Even Dracula herself is not wholly evil, nor is Johnathan Harker or Dr. Van Helsing purely good, but all have motives and reasonings that force them along the journey of their life to whom they become and whence they end.
Alayha McNamara as Victoire, Amelia Rose as Lilith, Jae Unker as Lucy, Tiffany Schechter as Dr. Jack Seward,
Nathan Green as Dr. Van Helsing, Abby Brown as Arthur Holmwood, and RuRu Painter as Carmilla
Photo Credit: Lia Dugal
Faced with the daunting task of putting on a play during a pandemic, Wanderlust Theatre found a way to use this Covid19 reality in a way that lends itself well to the telling of the story. From limiting audience numbers grouped into pods to the use of masks on the actors to reflect the health risks of the year 1893, the time of the story taking place.
Tiffany Schechter as Dr. Jack Seward and Brandon Kinsey as Quincy Morris
Photo Credit: Lia Dugal
With a range of talent of a varied experience level, Wanderlust Theatre spends its rehearsal time in intensive training, from the heightened physical of their "boot camp" that prepares the actor for the terrain of their playing field to extensive character work and activities that help deepen the actor's understanding of the craft of acting, highlighting the belief in living truthfully in the given circumstances of the story with oneself and the other characters.
Alayha McNamara as Victoire
Photo Credit: Wanda Borland
Along with Kate Vangeloff as Dracula, you will see Abby Brown as Arthur Holmwood, Tim Coatney as Johnathan Harker, David Countiss as a variety of roles, Nathan Green as Dr. Van Helsing, Brandon Kinsey as Quincy Morris, Andrew McGill as Renfield, Alayah McNamara as Victoire, RuRu Painter as Carmilla, Amelia Rose as Lilith, Elle Schechter as a variety of roles, Tiffany Schechter as Dr. Jack Seward, Tasia Simon as Mama Westenra, Raven Slayton as a variety of roles, Kate Southern as Mina Murray, and Jessica "Jae" Unker as Lucy Westerna. Each performer shines within their roles and stuns the audience with a winning, truthful performance.
Behind the scenes, such talents helped unfold the performance, as Sharif Abdulraham as Director of Production, James DeDekais as Musical Director, J.Sincere Gustin Sr as Sound Technician, Jacob Kuhl as Sound Designer, Nathan Ynacay as Costume and Set Designer, with Amanda Haverick and Pidge Miller as stage manager and assistant stage manager.
The show opened this weekend and runs through July 18th. For more information, check out the website: https://www.wanderlusttheatre.co/ as well as follow on Facebook and Instagram.
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