'The Passion of Dracula' Coming to Center Playhouse

The Center Players will present The Passion of Dracula just in time for the Halloween season. The retelling of the Dracula legend will have a four-week run from Oct. 21 through Nov. 13 at the , 35 South St. in Freehold.

The Passion of Dracula by Bob Hall and David Richmond opened off-Broadway in September 1977 to rave reviews due to its beautiful mixture of classic gothic drama and, at times, nearly farcical comedy. The play offers audiences an intriguing plot: a classic Dracula tale set in the English countryside in 1911, where several village girls have died under mysterious circumstances. Dr. Seward presides over a nearby mental hospital and the locality has acquired a new resident, Count Dracula. A trio of doctors, a young reporter and a stouthearted English lord battle the Count for possession of the lovely heroine. With a dash of Holmesian sleuthing in this Baskerville hound country setting, the play’s heroes attempt to save the heroine and dispatch the Count.

The Passion of Dracula is directed by Colleen DeFelice, of Colts Neck, and Louis Palermo, of Freehold, and produced by Anthony Greco, of Ocean Township, all of whom recently starred in Center Players’ February production of Barefoot in the Park. The play stars Ray Sammak, of Manalapan, as Count Dracula; Bill Lee, of Belford, as Dr. Van Helsing; Nick D’Ambrosia, of Tinton Falls, as Jonathan Harker; Zack Berman, of Eatontown, as Renfield; Danielle Gordon, of Eatontown, as Wilhelmina; Jill Zaitchick, of Colts Neck, as Dr. Van Zandt; Jack Welsh, of Freehold, as Dr. Seward; Kevin Walsh, of Freehold, as Lord Godalming; and Sharon Saks, of Beldford, as Misses Jameson.

The play is set entirely in Dr. Seward's study, the perfect setting to watch Van Helsing, Harker and Dracula battle over Wilhelmina's soul.

“The Dracula legend speaks to us all. As humans, we have an attraction and aversion to the dark side," Greco said. "And we like to believe that true love conquers all, including the forces of darkness."

The Passion of Dracula runs for four weekends, from Friday, Oct. 21 through Sunday, Nov. 13. Friday and Saturday showings take place at 8 p.m. and Sunday showings are at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $23 for seniors and students; admission includes complimentary gourmet desserts and beverages. Group rates and season subscriptions are also available. For ticket reservations call 732-462-9093 or visit centerplayers.org.