Halloween has collected its share of villains over the years: Chuckie, Freddy Krueger, Count Chocula. But no villain has been as enduring or iconic as Gothic horror villain Count Dracula.
Columbia City Ballet presents “Dracula” Thursday, Friday and Saturday night from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Koger Center. Tickets can be purchased for $10 on Thursday night with a student ID. Fair warning: this is a Halloween classic with graphic blood and sexual content.
“Dracula” defies common misconceptions about ballet. It is far from pink tutus, glitter and a girlfriend dragging her helpless date to the theater. "Dracula" appeals to a diverse audience by offering blood and violence mixed with passionate solo and group numbers that anyone can appreciate.
“Dracula is very different from people’s perception of what ballet is. It has everything a classical ballet has, yet it is very different and modern for someone who doesn’t typically go to the ballet,” Regina Willoughby, principal dancer and “Lucy” in the production, said.
The ballet tells the story of vampire Count Dracula, who emigrates from Transylvania to England to spread a curse with his three sensual vampire ladies. The plot develops into a race to kill Dracula before everyone is bitten and doomed to life as a vampire. All of the tensions and passions are expressed through dance — it's an inherently dramatic story, and it finds its voice with every leap and pirouette.
Every year the Columbia City Ballet performs “The Nutcracker” and “Dracula” as their two staple shows. For returning loyal fans, new special effects and lighting will be implemented to keep the yearly show thrilling and dynamic.
"Dracula" is a distinctly spooky Halloween event to attend this coming weekend. Director William Starrett encourages audience members to join in on the gory fun and dress up in a Halloween costume every night. On the night of Halloween, there will be a costume contest and the winner will receive a $100 gift card.
“What better way to spend Halloween?" Ingrassia asked. "You can watch Twilight in your bedroom or (watch) people die on stage.”