With autumn just around the corner and everyone getting ready for the Halloween season, Bannerman Island is offering a thrilling theater experience based on a classic horror icon to residents of the Hudson Valley. Back by popular demand from Theatre on the Road, it’s Dracula, adapted by Crane Johnson.

Everyone knows the dark tale of Dr. Seward, his fiancée Lucy, and their mysterious neighbor Count Dracula, but here, the events take on intensified effect through the heightened action and simplified staging of this fast-moving new version. The New York Times described it as, “Freely adapted from the novel by Bram Stoker. An exceptionally skillful version of the classic thriller, which ran for a full season at New York’s Royal Playhouse.” Fascinating…eerily worthwhile…

Dracula is directed by Frank Marquette of Theatre on the Road and produced by Neil Caplan of the Bannerman Castle Trust. Cast includes Marshall Sheldon as Dracula; Andrea Sadler as Van Helsing; Dan Anderson as Dr. Seward; Cindy Denice as Mrs. Harker; David Sharbowitcz as Renfield; Jessica Boyd as Abigail and Fieldina Water as Lucy.

Director Frank Marquette has stated that he always wanted to put on a play adaptation of Dracula, and chose Crane Johnson’s version after reading through four different play adaptations.

“I felt this was the best version due to it being a condensed version of the book. The story is more streamlined and more focus is put on the conflicts between characters Dracula and Renfield and Van Helsing and Seward,” Marquette said.

Organizing and performing a theatrical play on an island is a massive project for those involved, but it all culminates in a great performance. Marquette said the challenge for the actors is being able to portray such complex characters that have so much conflict and still achieve the director’s vision, so a lot of thought and discussion is required during rehearsals. The technical challenges come with doing a performance outside and on an island,

“There is no electricity or running water on the island. We use generators for lighting when we do a show at night. There are 72 steps that you have to carry everything up to the top and then walk to the residence where the show is performed. Yes it’s a lot of hard work, but the experience for the audience makes it worth the while,” says producer Neil Caplan.

The audience gets a complete experience of Bannerman Island when they go to see this show. Guests receive a cruise on the Estuary Steward to and from the island as well as a guided tour before the show starts. Dracula uses the Bannerman residence and gardens as a backdrop. Sets, designed by Thom Johnson, include the backdrops of Banner Residence or the Main Castle Structures depending on the show. Premiering in late September makes it the perfect show to get audiences in the Halloween spirit.

Dracula will be playing on Bannerman’s Island September 20, 21, and 29 starting at dusk. September 28 is sold out. Tickets available for purchase at bannermancastle.org/Dracula/. Tickets are $65. For more information contact David Archer at (914) 299-0937 or DAAssociatesPR@gmail.com.