Dracula comes to life at Union Mine

DRACULA (Will Van Duesen), center, is confronted in the final scene of the Union Mine High School production of "Dracula" by, back row left to right, the ensemble (Cyle Sullivan, Caffrey Lynch, Dillon Stalter, and Caiti Blockus; center row left to right, Seaward (Jordan Hyatt-Miller), Van Helsing (Grady Lynch) and Mina (Stephanie Lemon); and front row, Vixens (Kol Chakin, Laura Chastain, Ray Begnell, and Amanda Fogelman. Democrat photo Pat Dollins

By Mike Bush
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What: ”Dracula”

Who: Union Mine High School Drama Department

Where: Union Mine High School, Theater at the Mine, 6530 Koki Lane, El Dorado

When: Oct. 18, 19, 20, 25 and 27. Doors open at 7 p.m. and show starts at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $10 for adults, $8 for students and $7 for high school students with an associated student body card. Thursday night shows are $5 for students

Information: 530-621-4002 ext. 4605

EL DORADO — Will Van Deusen loves to sink his teeth into leading roles.

A Union Mine High School senior who has been involved in the school’s drama department since he was a freshman, Van Deusen is playing the lead role in play of “Dracula.”

Last spring, he played Otto Von Brunno in “Bullshot Cummond.”

“He’s a creepy guy,” Van Deusen, 17, joked about Dracula.

This frightening vampire play is based on the novel by Bram Stoker written in 1897. The plot takes place in 1462 in London, England as residents come to realize a monster lives in their midst, looking to spread destruction amongst all levels of society.

Flashbacks reveal the source of the danger coming from Transylvania, spreading across England, and focusing on a group of people who realizing the danger, take arms against the scourge.

Famous vampire

“He’s the most famous vampire there is,” Van Duesen said.

Kayla Warner has enjoyed the fine arts since she was in sixth grade, watching plays at the school.

“I always thought the shows were great,” said Warner, 17. “I always looked up to the people in them.”

Assistant director

For most of the last three years, Warner has performed in front of audiences. Now a senior, Warner’s sixth show will be working behind the scenes as an assistant director for “Dracula.”

“It’s a whole new prospective being on the other side of the curtain,” said Warner about her first experience directing. “I have to be constantly paying attention that the actors are getting their characters portrayed to the audience.”

Pete Miller, Union Mine’s drama teacher and the play’s director said, “Many adaptations of Dracula have found their way to the stage, but this version is notable for its faithfulness to the original novel and utilizes stage devices to the audience to propel the action.”

Stephanie Lemon, a junior, plays Mina Harker. She described her character as a “self-confident” person who stands by her man, Jonathan Harker, played by Kevin Ralphs.

Intense relationship

“Somethings are withheld from her, which threatens her life,” Lemon said. “She has a really intense relationship with all the characters.”

The rest of the cast is: Renfield (Dylan Punturo), Lucy (Beth Howard), Seward (Jordan Hyatt-Miller), and Van Helsing (Grady Lynch).

Ensemble roles include: Afton Getz, Chandler Bruttig, Cole Fraser, Brian Williams and Carter Price.

Dracula’s Vixens include: Ray Begnell, Kol Chaiken, Amanda Fogelman, Bianca Zuniga and Laura Chastain.

The Nosferatu are played by Cyle Sullivan, Dillon Stalter, Caffrey Lynch and Caiti Blockus.

The crew behind the scenes is: Brandon Smart, stage manager and sound designer.

Working various roles are: Alyssa Ramos, Sean Verbitsky, Connor Purdum, Jessica Derochea, Carlie Morris, Michael Stevenson, Joel Heichman and Sarah Aldaco.

Opening night is Thursday, Oct. 18. The play continues to Tuesday, Oct. 30 for a special pre-Halloween performance. Doors open at 7 p.m. and performances begin at 7:30 p.m.

All performances are at the school’s Theater at the Mine, 6530 Koki Lane in El Dorado.

Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $8 for students and $7 for high school students who have an associated student body card. Admission is $5 for the two Thursday night shows.

For the Oct. 30 performance anyone attending in a Halloween costume will receive a half-price discount.

Miller said that seating is guaranteed so attendees can buy tickets at the door each night of the play.

For more information call the high school at 530-621-4003 ext. 4605.

Contact Mike Bush at 530-344-5079 or mbush@mtdemocrat.net. Follow @MBushMtDemo on Twitter.