The OHS theater department’s first show this year was Dracula. They performed the play for three days: November 7th, 8th, and 9th.
Dracula is a two-act play. Doors opened around 6:40 and it ended around 9:42. Between acts there was an intermission when you could buy drinks and snacks.
Overall the play was really good and everything was so cool, from the makeup to the emotion the actors put into the play.
I was impressed by all of the actors and also the tech crew. They did an amazing job, so the whole experience of watching the play was fantastic, especially the actors’ dedication to their roles. The accents were spot-on, and each actor’s emotional depth in their lines was admirable. I was in shock at how good the actors were so easily able to switch from emotions and their screams were bone-chilling. Everything felt so genuine.
Marshall Bassam, who played the role of Renfield, really stood out. His shouts, especially during intense moments, felt so genuine.
The trio of brides also stood out. Bride 1, Bride 2, and Bride 3 were played by Brynna Thaxter, Natalie Cook, and Tiffany Baitinger. The parts when they came in, they really got into character.
There was also the character Captain of the Demeter, played by Jackson Doll. I liked that when he would speak, he made facial expressions which really fit the character he was playing.
The character Jonathan Harker was played by Liam Sutphin. I really liked how he was so into his character and how he wasn’t tense.
Lucy Westenra, played by Susannah Bailey, was also fabulous. Her screams were amazing! I also liked how she was very into her character.
One of my favorite moments was when Dracula, played by Cash Short, threw the bag with the baby to the three brides. The way the brides reacted and how they went running to it was so intense, adding to the tension of the scene. I loved how they had the realistic baby-crying effect. Cash did an impressive job portraying Dracula, from his accent to his walk. He was very dedicated to his character.
I loved all of the big and small details, especially Bride 3, whose dress was stained with blood. It’s small details that really exaggerate the play. Even though I couldn’t see the makeup details from my seat, I remember looking at the makeup before the show started because I got a behind-the-scenes view from the tech crew and the actors. They were all super sweet and I loved how they all knew each other well and how the actors had their own friend group. The tech crew also had a friend group, and they were all really nice to each other. It was like one big family!
Overall, the cast was fully invested in their roles, and their passion for the play was admirable. The accents were spot on, and the body language and the emotions were all jaw-dropping. It was an unforgettable experience. The makeup and costume work also deserve a mention they added so much to the atmosphere, even if some of the smaller details like the makeup were hard to see from the audience. It was an incredible performance that I won’t soon forget. I hope to see another play this good from our theater department.
