BrightSide Theatre will open its 13th season in October, with a play especially appropriate for the Halloween season. Naperville’s only professional theater company will present Steven Dietz’s adaptation of DRACULA - Bram Stoker’s novel of the legendary vampire of Transylvania. Veteran director and actor Jay Fontanetta will direct this eternally popular thriller, which will feature an original musical score by Paul Scherer. DRACULA will take audiences to the eerie landscapes of Transylvania and the shadowy corners of Victorian England on a spine-tingling journey filled with suspense, passion, and terror as Dracula is pursued by a group of courageous souls determined to stop him.
DRACULA will be performed in the Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall of North Central University from October 18 through November 3 and is rated PG-13 for adult themes and depictions of violence. Press opening is Friday, October 18 at 7:30 pm.
Lucy (Julia Hope Budd) and Dracula (Danny Parrott). Photo by Brady McNeil.
Fontanetta’s cast will feature Danny Parrott of Arlington Heights as Count Dracula. Parrott has played such threatening characters as the murderous Sweeney Todd and HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE’s Uncle Peck. Mike Boyna of Bloomingdale, whose credits include such leading roles as Atticus Finch in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and Salieri in AMADEUS, will be Dracula’s nemesis Van Helsing. Veteran Chicago actor and three-time Jeff Award winner for directing Greg Kolack from Elmhurst will be the production’s Renfield, a man showing signs of psychosis. The psychologist Seward, who is trying to diagnose Renfield’s strange behavior, will be played by Adam Bozcar of Carpentersville. Seward’s love interest, Lucy, who falls prey to Dracula, will be Julia Hope Budd, who appeared in BrightSide’s JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR earlier this year. Lucy’s friend Mina, engaged to Jonathan Harker – the young lawyer who meets Count Dracula in Transylvania - will be played by Caitlin Wolfe. Wolfe’s credits include THE DROWSY CHAPERONE for Surging Films and WHEN THERE ARE NINE for PrideArts. Also in the cast are Brady MacNeil of Wheaton (Jonathan Harker), Halle Berghoff of Chicago (Maid), Kyle Drexler of Glen Ellyn (Attendant), Erica Harrington of Westchester (Vixen), Austin Jordan of Aurora (Attendant), Daria Koon of Chicago (Vixen), and Kirstin Palatinus of Wayne (Vixen).
Top Row L-R: Halle Berghoff, Adam Boczar, Mike Boyna, Julia Hope Budd, Kyle Drexler.
Second Row L-r: Erica Harrington, Austin Jordan, Greg Kolack, Daria Koon, Brady McNeil.
Bottom Row L-R: Kirstin Palatinus, Danny Parrott, Caitlin Wolfe.
The DRACULA production team includes Cheryl Newman (Costume Design), Kurt Ottinger (Lighting and Sound Design), Jenn Martin (Prop Designer), Roberto Puig (Wig Designer), Claire Yearman (Fight/Intimacy Director), Paul Scherer (Original Music), Jeff Sand (Technical Director/Scenic Designer), and Kristin Ripoli (Stage Manager).
Director Fontanetta says, “I'm thrilled to work with BrightSide on this production. Dietz's adaptation is somehow both extremely faithful to the novel but also fantastically theatrical in its presentation. While elements of comedy and drama are present, Bram Stoker intended this to be a horror story. The cast and I are having a lot of fun working to bring the suspense and horror of DRACULA to the Brightside stage."
DRACULA will be performed in the Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville. Tickets are $37.00 for adults and $32.00 for students and seniors. Season subscriptions and individual show tickets are on sale now at www.BrightSidetheatre.com or by phone at 630-447-TIXS (8497).
LISTING INFORMATION
DRACULA
by Steven Dietz
based on the novel by Bram Stroker
Directed by Jay Fontanetta
October 18 – November 3, 2024
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm.
Press Opening Friday, October 18 at 8 pm
Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville 60540
Tickets $32 - $37, available at www.BrightSideTheatre.com or at 630-447-TIXS (8497).
Prepare to be transported to the eerie landscapes of Transylvania and the shadowy corners of Victorian England as you embark on a spine-tingling journey filled with suspense, passion, and terror. Sink your teeth into the dark, seductive world of DRACULA in Steven Dietz’s riveting adaptation of Bram Stoker’s timeless novel of one of literature’s most iconic characters. Dracula’s sinister allure takes center stage, beckoning you into the unknown with an insatiable thirst for more. You'll be on the edge of your seat as you follow the relentless pursuit of the enigmatic Count Dracula and the courageous souls determined to stop him.
DRACULA BLOOD DRIVE
Sponsored by BrightSide Theatre, Naperville's Women's Club, and Versiti Blood Center of Illinois
Saturday, October 5
9am-1:30pm
Naperville Women's Club Meeting Room
14 S. Washington St., Naperville, Il 60540
Interested donors can register in advance and schedule a time at https://donate.illinois.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/5610222 . Anyone donating blood with be given a $5 discount code for tickets to BrightSide’s DRACULA.
BIOS
Jay Fontanetta (Director, DRACULA) holds a B.A. in Directing, Columbia College, an M.A. in Theatre Education, Roosevelt University and an M.A. in Fine Arts Administration, Olivet-Nazarene University. He has directed high school, college, community, and professional productions over the last 25 years. Favorites include the Midwest premiere of AVEN’U BOYS at Circle Theatre, CLUE at the Theatre of Western Springs and HAIR for EPCT. Jay has won Outstanding Performance at the Illinois Community Theatre Festival for A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM and THE CRUCIBLE with the North Riverside Players.
Jeffrey Cass (Artistic Director/Director) is a Joseph Jefferson Award Nominee and has successfully directed over 30 Productions for BrightSide Theatre, most recently JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, CHESS IN CONCERT, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and GYPSY. He also played “Edna” in BST’s production of HAIRSPRAY. He holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theater Performance from Roosevelt University. He previously served as the Producing Director for Circle Theatre where he directed eight productions, including THE WHO’S TOMMY (six Joseph Jefferson Nominations including Best Musical and Best Director).
ABOUT BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE
BrightSide Theatre (Jeffrey Cass, Artistic Director and Julie Ann Kornak, Executive Director) is committed to Enlighten, Educate, and Entertain through comedies and inspirational stories from across the globe. A unique blend of award-winners, premieres, modern works and timeless classics meant to reflect upon and inform our community inhabit BrightSide’s stage. For more information on BrightSide Theatre, please visit www.BrightSidetheatre.com.
ABOUT NAPERVILLE WOMEN’S CLUB
Founded in 1897, the Naperville Woman's Club is a nonprofit, philanthropic organization. Our activities support art, education, and community service and include the Fine Art & Artisan Fair, high school art contest, college scholarships, educational programs, hands-on volunteering, and cash and in-kind donations to local social service organizations.