Columbia City Ballet premiers this year’s “Dracula”
With Halloween right around the corner, the Columbia City Ballet has prepared a spooky performance of “Dracula: Ballet with a Bite.”
The show, which premiered Thursday night, gives Columbia audiences beautifully terrifying choreography that adds a modern twist to the classic story.
“Dracula” has become a Halloween tradition in Columbia, and the ballet has performed it each October for over 20 years.
Director William Starrett, the architect of this on-stage version of Dracula, said the plot is based on the original gothic horror novel written by Bram Stoker.
However, the plot of this version strays from the original for a more current approach.
“If you’ve never seen it, this is the year to come,” Starrett said. “It contains some classical passages and dark, hot, sensual passages as well.”
Award-winning television star Grant Show, best known for his work on the Broadway stage and on “Melrose Place,” is starring as Count Dracula and is a recent addition to this production.
Although the 32 dancers of the Columbia City Ballet have been rehearsing for about a month, Show was added to the production a little over a week ago. Specializing in theater and television, Show is not a trained dancer but was chosen for his presence, not his dance skills.
“I’m a big fan of the book, and I’m looking forward to using my physicality on stage in a new way,” Show said in a release.
Starrett said Show adds dimension, presence and energy to the performance.
“Dracula: Ballet with a Bite” will be presented in the Koger Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. from Oct. 24-26.