Oak Park Newspaper

Free Readers Ensemble

October 17, 2005

Village Players Theatre of Oak Park Presents Dracula
review by Ed Vincent

A wonderful production of Dracula is being performed by
Oak Park's Village Players, with a cast ready for Broadway.
Dracula, by John Milewski, is perfect in the role of the powerful
villain made famous by the late Bela Lugosi. Van Helsing the
arch rival and threat to Dracula, is played by Peter Coombs.
Coombs is a powerful figure in his demeanor and persona
and does well to keep the action in play. Colleen E. Miller,
who plays the frail blood drained bride-to-be, Lucy Seward,
is well cast as her victimized innocence is violated each
evening by the cursed, blood hunter, Dracula.

Phillip MacFarlane, as Renfield is in hiding from the master
of the night.
© Oak Park Journal photo

The other major role is played by the very talented Phillip MacFarlane as the demented, delusional, despicable, and
down right disgusting Renfield. Catching flies is a favorite
pastime of Renfield as he pines away his days in the
asylum. He eats the insects and longs for more as he looks
forward to feeding some of the caught flies to spiders that
he is fattening up, so that they too will be a meal someday.

Renfield, though small in stature is a giant in kinky weirdness.

© Oak Park Journal photo

Lucy Seward recalls a dream of hearing dogs barking in the
night and then seeing two large red eyes, and then the appearance
of two marks on her neck makes the dream a vision of horrid
reality.

When Van Helsing arrives to bring knowledge and skill to the
job at hand he notes that; "the thing (Dracula) mocks us."

This play could easily runs for months or longer, but it is not
to be since it will end in a short time - the end of the month.
This is very well done and would be a good first play to see
with a subscription ticket for the entire season. The opening
night shows feature catered events following the performance
and a chance to meet with the actors and have fun with other subscribers.

I would highly recommend a subscription to this fine acting
ensemble. There is also a fun haunted house to see before
the show, just an added treat. A great time and a great show.

After the opening show the patrons are treated to morsels of
heaven once the prince of darkness has been defeated.
© Oak Park Journal photo

Village Players Theatre of Oak Park Presents Dracula

Village Players Theatre of Oak Park kicks off its 45th
season on October 16 with a new production of Dracula, directed by company member Bill Brennan. This adaptation
of Bram Stoker’s horror classic, by Hamilton Deane and John F. Balderston, emphasizes the psychological aspects of the
story and was first performed on Broadway in 1927 starring Bela Lugosi as Dracula. It later served as the basis of Tod Browning’s classic 1931 film.

The Village Players Theatre features John Milewski as
Dracula; Peter Coombs as Van Helsing; Kevin Bry as Dr. Seward; Colleen E. Miller as Lucy Seward; Dan Aho
as John Harker; Phillip MacFarlane as Renfield;
Dan Marco as Butterworth; and Margaret Prekelis as
Wells.

Scenic design is by Lee Brasuell, costume design is by
Suzanne Mann, and lighting and sound design are by
Julie Ballard. Properties are by Diane Kelley. The stage manager is Katy Schwalen and the assistant stage manager
and dialect coach is Barbara Andrews.

In conjunction with this production, Village Players will
turn its lobby and studio theatre space into an interactive haunted house that re-creates Dracula’s castle in Transylvania. The haunted house will be open one hour before each performance.

Dracula runs October 16-30, 2005, with Friday and
Saturday performances at 8:00 pm and Sunday matinees
at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $20 for adults, $16 for seniors
/students. Opening night gala tickets, which
include a catered dinner, are $27 for adults, $25 for seniors/students. Group rates are available. All
performances take place at Village Players Theatre,
1010 West Madison Street, Oak Park.

Seats for Dracula are also available as part of a
subscription package to Village Players’ 2005-06
Mainstage Season, which includes the original musical
revue Chad Morton’s TV Christmas Miracle!, Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Price-winning A Streetcar Named
Desire, and Tom Dudzick’s comedy Over the Tavern. Subscribers receive a 20% discount; adults are $64,
students and seniors $60. Opening Night Gala
subscriptions, which include a catered dinner after each
opening performance, are offered at $108 for adults,
$100 for students and seniors.

Village Players Theatre is Oak Park’s longest running professional, non-equity theatre, and the 2004 recipient
of the Oak Park Area Arts Council’s award for “Best
Comeback for an Arts Organization.” As a vibrant part
of Oak Park’s cultural history, Village Players Theatre
promotes a creative spirit that comes alive in its
productions and educational programs. Each production features some of the area’s most promising and talented professional performers and designers. Village Players
is a member of the League of Chicago Theatres and the
West Suburban Theatre Connection, and is partially
supported by grants from the Oak Park Area Arts
Council and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

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