This review was written by a TeenTix KC teen who is learning about arts journalism through the Press Corps, which provides teens with training and tools to respond to their arts experiences. TeenTix KC seeks to engage teens in the arts and amplify their voices. This may be the first time this teen has publicly expressed their opinion about an arts experience. Thank you for reading and supporting this teen’s development as an arts journalist.
Dracula arrived at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre Copaken Stage on October 14th, and you may think you know the story, but co-writers Vanessa Severo and Joanie Schultz impress with a brand-new retelling. I attended this show on October 23rd and thought it was amazing.
This version of Dracula follows two doctors, Seward and Van Helsing, as well as the two best friends Lucy and Mina. Drs. Seward and Van Helsing are working with a patient named Renfield, who has been experiencing some strange symptoms that collide with Lucy and Mina’s world sooner than you think.
When you enter the theater, you are immediately greeted by haunting music and an eerie set that will set the backdrop for the rest of the show. The entire show is musically gorgeous, thanks to the work of sound designer and composer Thomas Dixon. The music for each new scene is distinct but fits in with the rest of the show easily, and some characters or movements even have their own signature theme, in a way.
The show is performed fluidly, each movement choreographed as if it was a dance number, with every actor showing talent and poise that you can clearly see comes from tireless practice. This show is full of props and set pieces, and the crew of Dracula deserves a standing ovation for the work they must have done to create such a brilliant atmosphere.
The show itself teeters on a thin line that can easily dip into something laughable, but the production is fantastic. The scenic design by Mark Exline, lighting design by Pablo Santiago, and costume design by Trevor Bowen and Katharine L. Dohogne are highlights of the show, and without them, Dracula would be a completely different production. The entire show is set, lit, and costumed as if it were a movie, and it truly felt unlike any other production I have ever seen because of how technically unique it was.
Another aspect that makes this production fantastic is, of course, the actors. Multiple scenes from the show are shocking to watch, so certainly even more shocking to portray. Every actor in Dracula is giving their all to the show, and that is the very reason why it is so enjoyable to watch. Elaine Elizabeth Clifford, who portrays Lucy, is a standout. She delivers a phenomenal performance as one of the leading characters of the show, and I was truly blown away by her chemistry with not only the other characters but the role itself, and how engaged she is in every moment of the show.
There are some moments in the show where the audience is unsure what to expect next, and in those moments, if you accept the story for what it is and trust that everything will fall into place, you will become immersed into an uncanny, unforgettable experience of a story that can only be described as the founder of its own beautiful genre.
I personally have never seen any version of Dracula before, and only vaguely know the background of only the title character. So, I was worried coming into the show that because of my lack of prior knowledge, I wouldn’t understand anything that was going on. However, this wasn’t the case. The story clearly unfolds and is not difficult to follow, thanks to Severo’s and Schultz’s writing and direction. Whether you are a Dracula expert or have never even heard the name, you are sure to enjoy this incredible production, and I would highly recommend seeing it before it closes on November 2.
Reviewed by TeenTix KC Press Corps member Brynn Weiss
TeenTix KC is a KC Studio initiative building a brighter future for our region by empowering young people to take an active role in shaping their arts community as audience members, critics, influencers, advocates, patrons and leaders. Any 13-19 year-old can become a TeenTix KC member by downloading a free pass which enables them to buy $5 tickets to participating arts venues across metro KC. Teens are encouraged to become critics and influencers by writing reviews and creating reels about the arts they experience using their TeenTix KC passes.
