MANSFIELD, Ohio – Neos Dance Theatre has re-envisioned and re-imagined a stunningly original adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic gothic horror masterpiece. Neos Dance Theatre and the Renaissance Theatre will co-produce “Count… The Legend of Dracula” on Oct. 17 at the Renaissance.
The collaboration of Emmy award winning videographer and documentary director Andy Gardner, choreographer Bobby Wesner, along with Emmy award winning writer and Renaissance Artistic Director Michael Thomas has produced a thrilling multimedia event.
The event will feature an innovative space combining rock, pop, and industrial music with video imaging and the innovative staging that has become the hallmark of Neos Dance Theatre.
“Count… The Legend of Dracula” has played successfully in Mansfield in years past, both at the Renaissance and in nontraditional venues including abandoned buildings in downtown.
“When we performed at the Eagles’ building, we had actual bats make a guest appearance as audience members climbed the stairs of the Eagles building to watch the performance on the third floor,” Wesner said.
Other recent performances of “Count” have taken place at the Akron Civic Theatre and the Averett Center for the Performing Arts in Statesboro, Georgia.
Patrons who have seen a previous version of the production are in for a special treat, as the show has developed considerably since it was last seen in Mansfield.
Wesner stated, “Neos Dance Theatre developed this Ballet further last year when we premiered it at the Civic Theatre in Akron to include approximately 30 additional community members, dancers and actors. We had record-breaking attendance and the evening received critical acclaim.”
Kelly Clawson of the Akron Beacon Journal reviewed the updated show saying, “The staging is super cool with tons of dry ice, red light and captivating video imaging on a backdrop that depicts everything from an artful black and white illustration of a ship at sea to an animated Dracula crawling down a cemetery wall.
“This wild, full-blooded show was an eye-opener to anyone who may have assumed that ballet’s about decorum: The dance is set to a thrilling mix of pounding rock, pop and industrial music. Bobby Wesner was thoroughly seductive as Dracula, and both Mary-Elizabeth Fenn as his beloved Elizabetha/Mina and Brooke Wesner as Lucy were believable as they first resisted and then ended up swooning under the magnetic power of Dracula.”
Regional cast members include: Anna Clawson (Akron); Justice Gardner, Rylie Hildebrand, Nicholas Steffen, Reagan Steffen, Arowyn Wesner, Mekah Wesner (Ashland); Kitty Cleary (Findlay); Kiana Leigh, Sharon Troha (Lexington); Veda Boor, Justice Gardner, Megan Hayes, Emilie Hoffer, Sarah Hoffer, Kaylyn Kent (Mansfield); Christine Boner (Mt. Gilead); Kassie Lee, Celia Romanoski, Regina Pietraria (Oberlin).
Tickets are available for “Count… The Legend of Dracula,” which begins at 8 p.m. on Oct. 17. Tickets are $20 general admission and can be purchased at the Renaissance Box Office, by calling 419-522-2726 or visiting MansfieldTickets.com.
This show is presented through a partnership of Neos Dance Theatre with the Renaissance Performing Arts Association. Neos Lead Sponsor is MT Business Technologies. The show is sponsored by Jay Industries on behalf of the Renaissance.
More information and tickets can be found by visiting MansfieldTickets.com.
