Dracula (CSC)

See it if Hamill doe tinkering treatment of the pop Gothic classic giving Mina/Lucy "teeth," as reminder that men don't own all the necks in the room.

Don't see it if Loony bin motif doesn't allow the brevity of what's at "stake" to settle, coming a-"cross" as farce undercutting what's otherwise intended.

See it if you want to see a different view of the tale Dracula. It's clever and sometimes funny and very campy.

Don't see it if you like the traditional story. This production has no real depth of the characters. I felt no fear as I usually do when watching this story

Also This production is a light hearted comical version of the story Dracula. It's more like a comedy than a drama.... Read more Read less

See it if you like old classic theater with a modern shake up

Don't see it if You are like me and have trouble comprehending old piece of theater

Also Sometimes I see plays that I don’t like and I know they are bad and I feel like no one would like them. That was not the case here I pretty much liked everything about the production except the actual play itself. The acting, staging, direction, lighting and sound were all excellent. The problem was I didn’t care one bit for the actual play itself.
This is my issue though.
A few times a year I try to challenge myself and go outside my comfort zone by seeing an old classic, a solo play or a musical and I usually end up regretting it because I typically don’t like these pieces of theater.
I don’t watch movies so I’ve never really seen anything regarding Dracula. I just didn’t really care for the story... Read more Read less

See it if Distinctly Hamill enterprise w mix: broad humor, clever staging, contemp touches, creativity, artistic license, classic material. Enjoyable.

Don't see it if Dracula purist-here characters are reimagined w obvious feminist spin. 2 much repetition overall, & curtain-pulling, first thrilling, wears.

Also Saw this at CSC toward end of run.

See it if You appreciate Kate Hamill and her theatre company

Don't see it if You want a serious show about vampires.

See it if appreciate camp & turning classic on its ear, acting/direction/writing walking fine line, thrust staging with inner above, like funny walks

Don't see it if can't tolerate thrust staging, need classic tales unadorned, need 2 hear every word, dislike Kate Hamill, dislike injection of feminism

See it if A gently feminist version with Mina and Lucy at the fore. Renfield and Van Helsing are women. The Count is a male chauvinist show-off.

Don't see it if Cleverly stylized staging and exaggerated acting make a satisfyingly creepy atmosphere. Amendt, Dukes, and Hamill herself are standouts.

See it if you want to see a wonderfully produced and written campy feminist version of Dracula

Don't see it if you need your Dracula to be a powerful misogynist who cannot be conquered by women. Or if you hate camp, no matter how well done.

Also Timing of actors was near perfect as was the fight choreography, both essential for camp to work.

The empowerment of the the two female leads without empowering all of the female characters provided a realistic view of how far feminism has to go.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see an excellent production of a classic play. Great acting, direction and outstanding lighting.

Don't see it if If you don’t like plays about vampires, this won’t be your kind of play.

Also Bravo to the entire production! I loved every moment!

See it if well written modern feminist take on a classic. funny yet gothic. well presented in a small space

Don't see it if want the traditional dracula story with the over the top horror, this is not that.

See it if You appreciate Kate Hamill's writing and performing, you'll like this one. Interesting approach to well known material .

Don't see it if You expect real horror and bloodletting. This is stylized and moving.

See it if you'll enjoy a funny version of Dracula w/a feminist twist.It's a fun romp. It's campy, but not overacted. Matthew Amendt was DELICIOUS.

Don't see it if you're expecting something really scary & gorey. You're a purist & prefer a faithful rendering of the novel. You hate all things feminist.

See it if You're up for a modern feminist take: the horror here not the vampiric undead, but eternal paternalism. Go with it, it's funny and on point.

Don't see it if You're married to Stoker's original or Lugosi's hammy if effective dark creature of the night. This Count is all daylight and humor.

Also Hamill's Renfield is terrific, as is her updated take on all things Dracula, from sex to sisterly relationships and male/female conquests and courtships. Insightful and entertaining, go with an open mind.... Read more Read less

See it if Gender bending and empowering. Well conceived, incl. fantastic costuming

Don't see it if Look for sheer gore.

See it if you must see every staging of the well-known vampire yarn, from the faithful to the campy to the romanticized- this one is none of the above

Don't see it if you want a classic, literary presentation of the old, old story; prefer more of the vampire & less of the support characters

Also This "Dracula" is toothless, bloodless, horrorless & not the least bit erotic It is billed as a 'feminist' take but that seemed to be a bit of a stretch here. I did love Jessica Frances Dukes as an "Indiana Jones" -style female Van Helsing, complete with black hat & motorcycle boots, who admonishes the male doctor, "Don't speak for her!" and goes mano-a-mano with Drac himself. ( Played as an arrogant & obnoxious narcissist)... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a really fresh, humorous take on a classic

Don't see it if You're looking to be frightened

See it if Really fun. Great use of set. Great acting. I wasn't sure how Hamill was going to pull off the feminist aspect but she managed it very well.

Don't see it if Even if you've seen many versions, this one is highly entertaining and unique. Could have been cut a bit. Maybe a little less Renfield.

See it if You're a Kate Hamill fan. You like bold new takes on familiar vampire stories. You like to be served a dash of #metoo whimsy with your stake

Don't see it if You abhor feminist re-writes. You don't like playwrights medding with your favorite horror novel. Bare bones theater in the round.

Also Go Kate Hamill! Drive that stake through the heart of Victorian and forever undead male dominance. But not without humor. This production brought to mind of all things "Blazing Saddles". No Basie band but a female Renfield as interlocutor, a black female kick-ass Dr. Van Helsing, an empowered Mina, a sexy Lucy and a Dracula all in white. Staging, ligthing sound, direction all good; a couple of overlong monologues but a small price to pay for an entertaining evening.... Read more Read less

See it if Original take on an old classic.

Don't see it if This is barebones staging.

See it if you already know the story of Dracula and want to see a funny version of the story with a nod to men's treatment and expectations of women.

Don't see it if campy humor and changes in classics bother you.

Also The actors were all wonderfully believable. The audience laughed throughout in a good way. The costumes were appropriate and quite good looking. Dracula was on target. I thought there was a bit of repetition about how women are expected to behave but the laughter made it ok. The show could be cut by 10 minutes. Try to sit in the 300s in the middle or the 100s in the middle for the best view. I was surprised I liked the show.... Read more Read less

See it if U enjoy a feminist twist to a classic with great performances and thought provoking and relevant dialogue.

Don't see it if U are a purist, don’t appreciate feminism or prefer musicals.

See it if I really had a hard time watching this play. Very long almost two and a half hours. Very confusing as well.

Don't see it if I found myself constantly checking my watch. The actors weren't bad though just the script was really out of left field at least for me

See it if You like Kate Hamill. This reworking of the classic is fun and the feminist message is clear. Writing, acting, staging are way above average

Don't see it if You only want the original version

See it if You want to see a production of Dracula that has comedic elements

Don't see it if You want to see a classic dramatic version of Dracula, dislike comedies, or wanted to see a musical or one person show.

See it if You enjoy theater with both fun and message. One theme is man’s desire for control over woman. But with a current response!

Don't see it if You expect the regular Dracula story.