Hide Article Text (OCR)
By Mark Perry The South Suburban Theatre Guild’s production of “Count Dracula” is a fine example of a very talented, efficient cast working their best to pump up some decidedly average mate rial. Ted Tiller’s adaptation of the classic horror tale is billed as “a comedy/thriller,” and I was kind of expecting a “Bram- Stoker-meets-Neil Simon” laughfest. But except for a few eccentric characters and some odd behav ior, this is a fairly literal trans lation of the classic Stoker novel. Fortunately, the SSTG casting brought life (or un death) to the characters that the script regrettably could not. The action is centered in the drawing room of a English asy lum run by Dr. Arthur Seward (John Hamlin), who resides there with his dimwitted sister, Sybil (Sharon Domas). There has been considerable concern in the house because their niece, Mina Murray (Kim berly Rushing), has been weak ened by a mysterious ailment. Arriving on the scene to lend some comfort and aid are Mi na's fiance, Johnathan Harker (Steve Macarus), and the fa mous Dutch scientist, Prof. Van Helsing (Bob Zielinski). It’s Van Helsing that first proposes an unbelievable expla nation for Mina’s condition: she’s under the spell of the Sewards’ new next-door neigh bor, the ghoulish Count Dracula (Chuck Crnkovic, Jr.). Once the premise has been established, the rest of play centers on a game of bat and mouse as Dracula tries to get Mina alone often enough to fin ish the job of vampirization that he’s started while Seward, Harker and Van Helsing try and locate the Count’s crypt, where the creature of the night must spend his days. While “Count Dracula” is de cidedly lacking in witty dia logue, this production does fea ture a nicely demented perfor mance by Steve Geotsalitis as Renfield, one of asylum’s in mates who has become the Count’s obedient servant (when he’s not munching on flies and spiders). The laugh of Geot salitis (who is also the show’s producer) is enough to raise a few chuckles. The rest of the cast also per forms admirably. Zielinski’s characterization of Van Helsing is especially strong, as he speaks in serious tones about Mina’s dire straits. His perfor mance is given additional au thority by his portly frame. And Crnkovic’s Dracula is right on the mark, especially since he’s able to hang onto his charac ter’s accent a little more tightly than some of his co-actors. The SSTG stage crew also does a nice job of handling a few “special effects” that lend some power to the proceedings. While it doesn’t provide a lot of giggles and guffaws, “Count Dracula” is still a decent enough diversion for fans of horror or dedicated community theater. “Count Dracula” continues through Sept. 30 at the Auction in Tinley Park High School, 6111 175th St. in Tinley Park. Curtain time is 8 p.m. on Fri days and Saturdays, 3 p.m. on Sundays.
Newspaper Details
Frankfort Star
Frankfort, Illinois, US
Thu, Sep 20, 1990
Page 64
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 08 Aug 2026
Other Publications Near Frankfort, Illinois
Frankfort Star
Frankfort Star Herald
Frankfort PennySaver
Frankfort Mokena Star
Frankfort Leader
