The world premiere of the Frank Wildhorn’s newly-reconstructed Broadway show, “Dracula: The Musical,” opens a two-week production at Kelsey Theater on Friday, October 20. Former Plainsboro resident Frank Ferrara is directing the show, which has undergone many changes since its premiere at La Jolla Playhouse and subsequent run at the Belasco Theater in New York City for 157 performances.
Ferrara’s wife, Shannon, a music teacher at Village School, is a production assistant on the show. They are the parents of Elizabeth, 2 1/2.
The production, based on Bram Stoker’s classic novel, is the story of Count Dracula, a Romanian noble with a severe case of insomnia and a desire of fresh blood.
David Weitzer, a professional actor from New York City, is playing the title role by special arrangement with the Actors’ Equity Association. A graduate of Brandeis University and Manhattan School of Music, he received a Perry Award in 2002 for his portrayal of Jekyll and Hyde.
Wildhorn, who is working directly with the production, is best known for Jekyll & Hyde, the Scarlet Pimpernel, the Civil War, and Victor/Victoria. He reconstructed Dracula for a sold-out run in Stadttheater in St. Gallen, Switzerland. That production, orchestrated for 46 musicians, has been scaled down by Ferrara’s production partner, Nick Cheng of Hamilton.
“The Swiss production was more intimate, like a chamber musical, and that’s what we’re going with,” says Ferrara. “It was a show about a small group of people in which a huge group of people — maids, porters, wedding guests, and the like — randomly charged onstage at various intervals.”
“There is always going to be a place to do ‘Oklahoma’ with 80 people, but sometimes it’s nice to see something smaller to concentrate on the individual performers and really get to hear their voices,” says Ferrara. “Most of the scenes feature one, two, three, or four people and the only time all 15 actors will be on stage together is for the curtain call.”
Although Wildhorn will not be at opening night, he will conduct a master class after Sunday, October 22, matinee for students interested in pursuing a career in the musical theater. He will also answer questions from audience members, and give direct feedback to a limited number of singers. Admission to the master class is $35 and includes a ticket to the show. If you are interested in performing for Wildhorn at the class, submit a headshot and resume to chengferraraproductions@gmail.com. Performers will be selected at random from among interested candidates.
The show is not recommended for children under 13. “It depends on the child,” says Ferrara. “Parents may want to exercise judgment as the show is violent.”
The unusual showtimes for a Kelsey Theater production include Fridays and Saturdays, October 20, 21, 27, and 28, at 8 p.m.; Sundays, October 22 and 29, at 2 p.m.; Tuesday, October 31, at 8 p.m.; and a midnight show on Saturday, October 28.
Dracula! The Musical, Kelsey Theater, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, www.kelseytheatre.net. Cheng/Ferrara Productions presents the world premiere of Frank Wildhorn’s newly-revised musical. $16. 609-584-9444. Friday, October 20, through Tuesday, October 31.
