Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Two theatrically successful if erratic stage adaptations of DRACULA & FRANKENSTEIN haunt CSC

• By drediman
• February 19, 2020
• No Comments

Currently haunting Classic Stage Company are new stage adaptations of two iconic horror novels, Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Overall, they prove to be theatrically successful, if a tad on the erratic side. The two productions – both of which officially opened this week – run in repertory with each other.

Kelley Curran, Jamie Ann Romero, and Jessica Frances Duke in Kate Hamill’s stage adaptation of “Dracula” at Classic Stage Company. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Arguably the bigger draw of the two productions is Dracula (SOMEWHAT RECOMMENDED) as adapted by Kate Hamill, who has in recent years proven adept at bringing classic novels to fresh, vibrant life onstage. It’s certainly the meatier of the pair, running at twice the length of Frankenstein. It’s also substantially more scatter-brained, jarringly ricocheting between tongue-in-cheek humor, a feminist agenda (e.g., Ms. Hamill’s work heavily reconsiders the characters of Mina and Dr. Van Helsing), and lurid horror. Despite the unevenness, there are undeniable thrills to be had in the fast-paced staging – many of the cheap variety (nothing wrong with that!) – which director Sarna Lapine and her game cast ensure with gleeful relish. The more kitschy performances come off most successfully; particularly juicy are Jessica Frances Dukes’ pulpy Van Helsing and Matthew Amendt’s scenery-chewing titular count.

Stephanie Berry in Tristan Bernays’ stage adaptation of “Frankenstein” at Classic Stage Company. Photo by Joan Marcus.

The slighter but stylistically more coherent production is Tristan Bernays’ condensed, chamber stage adaptation of Frankenstein (RECOMMENDED). In the role of both Dr. Frankenstein and the Creature, actress Stephanie Berry is exceptional; she gives a soulful performance that animates both characters with care and depth. Playing the “Chorus” (i.e., all the miscellaneous characters) is the versatile Rob Morrison, who enlivens the dark tale with atmospheric live music and whose stage presence provides an effective counterpoint to Ms. Berry’s. Although the production comes just shy of being fully satisfying, it’s directed thoughtfully by Timothy Douglas, who handles the novel’s cinematic plotting with elegant efficiency despite only having two bodies at his disposal. His staging gives Ms. Shelley’s gothic novel a timeless quality that affectingly highlights its universality.

FRANKENSTEIN 
Off-Broadway, Play
Classic Stage Company
1 hour, 15 minutes (without an intermission)
In repertory through March 8

DRACULA
Off-Broadway, Play
Classic Stage Company
2 hours, 20 minutes (with one intermission)
In repertory through March 8