Dracula comedy opens tonight at Alcott

Dracula is a laughing matter at the Alcott Arts Center’s production opening tonight.

“Dracula, the Final Countdown,” by Geoff Bamber, is a comedy that will provide lots of laughs, according to Chris Green, Alcott executive director.

The plot is a retelling of Bram Stoker’s horror story of Dracula, with melodramatic twists giving a different turn to the old story, she said.

Changes to the original “Dracula” are that a young man will play one of the brides; Van Helsing is played by a woman; and Dracula is very much like a rock star, Green said.

The production is directed by Glendora Davis, who is from the Johnson County area and has worked with theater productions in the past.

Several sets of actors in families are working together, Green said, including a mom and son, two boys and a grandma, a father and a son, and a boyfriend and girlfriend.

Playing the title role of Dracula is Stephen Tafoya.

Also appearing in the production are Kate Williams, Kathy Murphy, Mark Millham, Gabriel Millham, Jeremy Walter, Joselyn Carolus, Kristi Hibschman, Zack Edwards, Alice Pollack, Brent Custer, Katya Mason, Dan Daly, Shelby Bessette, Dakota Campbell, and Tyler Howard.

Kamren Howard is in charge of props while the stage manager is Rebecca Parker DeSchepper.

“Dracula” will be performed at 7 p.m. Oct. 20, 21, 27 and 28; and at 3 p.m. Oct. 22 and 29.

Tickets cost $10 for adults and $6 for students. Funds raised will go toward paying the bills at the Alcott Center.

Green said the show is not scary and kids may attend.

The art galleries at the Alcott Center also will be open, and they will include works by Darryl Woods, Maggie Killian, Ruthie Becker, Legion Fetters, Ivy Fetters and some art from the Alcott collection, she said.

The Alcott Arts Center is at 180 S. 18th St., Kansas City, Kansas. The building is not ADA accessible. For more information, see https://www.alcottartscenter.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/alcott.arts.center/.