Get ready for chills and thrills as Central Alberta Theatre opens its 2024-2025 season with Dracula: Mina’s Quest.
In this exciting adaptation by Steven Dietz, audiences will see Bram Stoker’s classic story through the perspective of Mina Murray, as she takes the reins of her fate and faces the dark forces around her.
"It's spooky. It's classic. It's sensual. It's romantic. It's heartbreaking. It covers many emotional elements of the genre of gothic romance," said director Lacey Oleson-Rinehart, about the play that runs from Oct.18 to 31 at CAT’s Studio Theatre.
Mina’s Quest offers a fresh twist on the Dracula legend by making Mina the detective at the heart of the action. Her confrontation with Dracula becomes a harrowing battle not just for survival but for her very soul.
Oleson-Rinehart said the Dietz's original version of the story focuses on the men of the story. But Mina is, and always has been, the actual hero of Dracula. So CAT preferred a version with Mina's interpretation.
She said this variation of the Dracula story is also very character driven with equal focus on all the characters.
An ensemble of eight actors play 10 characters including: Elisa Collard playing Mina Murray, Ronen Eagles playing Lucy Westerna, Brock Beal playing Jonathan Harker, Bryan Mildenberger playing John Seward, Benedict Kirtzinger playing Renfield, and Sarain Soonias playing Dracula.
She said Dracula is a contradiction. He's extremely positive in many ways, but his very intense darkness rules his actions.
"Dracula's character is all about consent and beauty and love and companionship. But he doesn't always go about that in the right way because of his centuries of life experience and his position of power."
She said characters will see their morals and beliefs threatened and must decide whether to work together, or choose darkness over goodness.
"Each character's answer is different, and how they handle that trauma is different. At its core, it's about finding out where you stand," Oleson-Rinehart said.
CAT is partnering with the Red Deer Downtown Business Association to offer a Dinner & A Show Special. People can present their theatre tickets at participating restaurants on the day of the show and enjoy 10 per cent off select menu items.
Dracula: Mina’s Quest contains adult themes and onstage violence and is not recommended for children.
Shows at 7:30 p.m. run on Oct 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, and 31. Matinees run Oct. 20 and 27 at 1 p.m.
Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. For ticket information, visit centralalbertatheatre.ca or call the box office at 403-967-1769.
