From Friday, Sept. 20, through Sunday, Oct. 13, the Athens Theatre in DeLand invites you to descend into the ominous abyss of one of literature’s most chilling legends, with their haunting production of Dracula, a play by Steven Dietz based on the immortal novel by Bram Stoker.
Born from the depths of 1897, Dracula has carved its name into the very heart of horror, weaving a tapestry of aristocratic charm, malevolent power, and the foreboding darkness of Transylvania. This is not merely a story — it is an invocation of a creature who is both predator and tragic antihero, whose shadow has loomed over us for generations.
Prepare to surrender to a heart-pounding, spine-tingling thrill, as you are drawn into the sinister world of Dracula, where fear and fascination dance a deadly waltz. Each heartbeat brings you closer to the edge, as Stoker’s nightmarish vision is resurrected on stage, exploring the eternal themes of immortality, the unknown, and the darkness that lurks within us all.
In this chilling adaptation, Dracula’s sinister allure beckons, whispering of hidden terrors with an insatiable thirst that pulls you deeper into the night, reflecting the fears and desires that have kept this tale alive for more than a century.
Frank Ramirez, the theater’s producing artistic director, spearheads the direction of this chilling performance and shares the following: “Having always been a fan of mysteries, thrillers and horror, I’m always looking for great plays we can produce for the Halloween season. Steven Dietz, the playwright for our production of Dracula, has managed to capture all the elements of Bram Stoker’s novel that made me fall in love with it in the first place. So, as soon as we had the opportunity, I knew it would be the perfect fit for the Athens’ stage and the DeLand community. Beautiful language, descriptive storytelling and frightful scares will surely make you jump in your seat and have a spectacularly spooky evening.”
The role of Dracula is played by Fredy Ruiz, who is making his Athens Theatre debut. Though new to DeLand’s historic stage, Ruiz brings an impressive résumé, including leading roles at many local theaters, such as Gomez Addams in The Addams Family and Sebastian Valmont in Cruel Intentions: The Musical. He has also performed at several international destinations.
Alan Ware, a veteran of the Athens Theatre with numerous productions under his belt, portrays Renfield. Alan was most recently seen as Frollo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Victoria Rivera takes on the role of Mina, with Krystal Kennedy as Lucy, Seth Thornton as Harker and Noah Clark as Seward. SarahRae Jackson is Anouk Van Helsing. Paul Pelletier Jr., Gabriella Smith and Jena Rashid round out the cast as the ensemble.
DeLand’s hometown print shop, Quality Quickprint, is the presenting sponsor for this show, as they celebrate their 50th anniversary.
On Friday, Sept. 20, don’t miss the opening night’s champagne toast and Vampire Costume Contest. The ASL/English-interpreted performance will be Friday, Oct. 4, and the special audio-described performance is Sunday, Oct. 6.
Step into a world where reality dissolves, and the supernatural reigns — dare to uncover the dark secrets that stir beneath the surface of the world you thought you understood.
This production is rated PG-13 for blood, mature content and sexually suggestive moments.
For tickets and more information, visit www.AthensDeLand.com, or call the box office at 386-736-1500.
The Athens Theatre is located at 124 N. Florida Ave. in Downtown DeLand.
