It’s that very special time of year. The wolves howl, the bats fly, the lights flicker … and the legendary story of Count Dracula unfolds at Flashback Theater Co. Presented by title sponsor The Weigel Family, the performance will run October 17-27 in the Cornelia Dozier Cooper Theatre at The Center for Rural Development. Directed by Flashback’s Producing Artistic Director, Sommer Schoch, this blockbuster performance will be a campy and creepy experience that will thrill your entire family this Halloween season. The show will feature performances from a variety of local favorites, including Dr. David Eads, Johnna Atkinson-Bigelow, Martha Pratt, and Brian Herrmann.
Sommer Schoch is thrilled to take on the challenge of producing Count Dracula in such a large venue: “Flashback has a history of putting on dark comedies and embracing the campiness of well worn villains. Count Dracula will be in our sweet spot for content in that respect, but the size and scope of this production is going to be unique from other FbTC shows. Being in a 750 seat house means our work will be more exaggerated than what we typically produce.” Given the show’s supernatural subject matter, this show will also give the theater artists involved a chance to play with some spooky special effects: “There are a lot of surprises in store for the audience,” says Schoch, “from magical moments to sudden jumps. It is all in good fun and I hope the audience members allow themselves to surrender to the unexpected; if they do, we will feed off their energy…much like the vampire feeds off his prey in the night. Mwahahahhaha!”
The plot of the play is adapted from Bram Stoker’s Dracula novel, with some added witticisms and gags for comedic flair. The story unfolds when a new patient arrives at the asylum and a new neighbor takes up residence in the castle across the valley, though he has only been seen at night. Dr. Seward is desperately trying to keep his asylum and his spinster sister in order, when his ward, Mina, becomes very ill after a visit from the new neighbor. Mina’s fiance Jonathan arrives just in time to try to cure her of the illness before it claims her life. Baffled by the horrific events that have unfolded, Dr. Seward sends for the self-proclaimed ‘Vampire Hunter’ Van Helsing to put this nightmare to bed for good.
As always, Flashback Theater Co.’s cast and crew is made up entirely of local theater artists. The cast includes Brian Herrmann (Dracula), Martha Pratt (Mina), Johnna Atkinson-Bigelow (Van Helsing), Dr. David Eads (Dr. Seward), Nicole Strickler (Sybil), Lars Loveridge (Renfield), Brian Estes (Jonathan), Zach Vaught (Hennessey), and Sam Enderle (Wesley). The production will be stage managed by Renate Dopp, with help from Assistant Stage Managers Mahayla Mounce & Tonya Marcum. Ron Kidd joins the team as set designer.
Flashback Theater Co’s production of Count Dracula will astound you with its technical flair and delightful scares. Imagine making plans for the entire family to enjoy this Halloween outing together; this show truly has something for everyone! Though all audience members of a show-going age are encouraged to attend, ticket buyers should know that the show features vampires, campy humor, special effects, mild language, and a healthy fear of the unknown. Recommended for audiences 12 & up.
Production Information
Count Dracula
By Ted Tiller, adapted from the novel by Bram Stoker
Directed by Sommer Schoch
October 17-27, 2024
Cornelia Dozier Cooper Theatre at The Center for Rural Development
There’s a new patient at the asylum and a new resident in the castle across the valley, who has been seen only at night. Dr. Seward is desperately trying to keep his asylum and his spinster sister in order, when his ward, Mina, becomes very ill after a visit from the new neighbor. Mina’s fiance Jonathan arrives just in time to try to cure her of the illness before it claims her life. Baffled by the horrific events that have unfolded, Dr. Seward sends for the self-proclaimed ‘Vampire Hunter’ Van Helsing to put this nightmare to bed for good. The wolves howl, the bats fly, the lights flicker … and the legendary story of Count Dracula unfolds.
Performance Dates and Times:
Thursday, October 17, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 18, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 20, 2:30 p.m.
Friday, October 25, 7:30 p.m. *ASL Performance
Sunday, October 27, 6:00 p.m.
Ticket Information
Tickets can be purchased online at: https://fbtc.ticketleap.com/count-dracula/, by visiting the box office in person at 209A E Mount Vernon St. during office hours, or by calling the box office at (888) 394-3282, ext. 1. Box office hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Single ticket pricing for the 11th Season of Flashback productions will be:
Adults – $23 Advance, $25 Door
Students – $12 Advance, $15 Door
Seniors – $20 Advance and Door
The best and most cost efficient way to see Flashback’s season of productions is by purchasing a Season Ticket. You can purchase a season ticket online now at https://fbtc.ticketleap.com/fbtc-season-24-25/
Season Tickets are $85 per person and guarantee you first pick of the seating arrangements, giving you the best seat in the house. Season ticket holders will be contacted in the first week of ticket sales for each show to confirm desired date of attendance. Your tickets for each production will be sent to your email. If you would like to pick up a printed ticket to give to a friend or transfer your tickets for a production to someone else, you are welcome to do so and need only contact the box office to make arrangements.
Season Sponsors & Supporters
Flashback Theater Co. is grateful to our 2024-25 Starlight Sponsors: Applied Behavioral Advancements, The City of Somerset, Kentucky Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet, and The Shubert Foundation. Spotlight Sponsors: M&W Printing and CHI Saint Joseph London; as well as our Footlight Sponsors: David Daring Rentals, Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital & Lake Cumberland Residency Programs, First & Farmers National Bank, The Weigel Family, United Cumberland Bank, T. Ronald Kidd Trust, Somerset Community College, Buffalo Wings & Rings, and Citizens National Bank.
The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, provides operating support to Flashback Theater Co. with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Count Dracula is presented with support from the show’s Title sponsor: The Weigel Family. Additional support is provided by Artist Sponsors, EHA CPAs, Pulaski County Government, Southern Kentucky Eye, as well as Design Sponsor Harry & Jannice Kennedy.