By Christy Hudson
The 1897 Gothic horror tale of Bram Stoker’s Dracula has been told and retold throughout time. The classic version of vampires are far more terrifying than more recent reincarnations (if you know what I’m saying), but Cache Valley Civic Ballet’s production of Dracula combines the beautiful and the frightening in the tale told through dance. The music for the ballet was written by Danny Elfman and Wojciech Kilar.
Kevin Nakatani plays the titular Dracula. He is mysterious and chilling, and he also dances very eloquently. There are three leading ballerinas: Britnie Jenkins plays Mina, the beautiful girl who Dracula finds charming. Brianne Corbridge plays Mina’s best friend Lucy, who falls for Dracula. Jade Wimmer plays Dracula’s lead Vampire Bride. All three are incredibly graceful and beautiful dancers. In Act Two, all three have a dance together, and it is elegant and dramatic, and a stand-out dance in the show.
The entire company is very talented. The Vampire Brides are especially fun to watch. An important aspect of dance performance is facial expressions. The Vampire Brides are meant to be more creepy and evil, so this is what the dancers portray through their facial expressions and choreography. I enjoyed their scenes a lot. I personally am not a ballerina, but if I were, that would probably be a cool part to play.
As a ballet does not use dialogue to tell the story, it relies completely on visuals to convey the narrative. Artistic Director/Choreographer Sandy Emile has developed strong visuals, both in the dance and the set design. The dancing is graceful and beautiful all the way through, building dramatically as the story progresses. One of my favorite dance moments happens in Act One, during the ball, when Dracula enters. He captivates all the girls into a sort of trance, and they all come together and dance ominously as the music grows more sinister. It excellently displays the effect that Dracula is supposed to be having on his victims, and it does a lot to strengthen the narrative, as well as the understanding of the character.
All the sets are simple yet effective, and maintain the haunting tone of the show, as it went from forest to graveyard to mansion. A couple of the set changes were a little long. One happened behind the curtain, so the audience sat in silence as the curtain closed, the set was changed, and then the curtain opened again. For me, this is a bit of a pet peeve, especially because there was a break in the music as we waited in the dark for the curtain to open again. It does detract from the movement of the show.
One of the best parts about ballets is the costumes, but don’t expect to see tutus in this ballet. Costume Manager Pamela Kirschman has arranged a nice compilation of period costumes, and all the dresses flow and twirl. The Vampire Brides’ costumes are white, with sleeves that seem to be reminiscent of bats spreading their wings as the dancers spin. They simultaneously create a pretty and eerie effect. This is also shown in the dancers’ make-up design, created by Sandra McAllister. The appearance for all of the performers is done very well.
An important part of producing the tone of the ballet is the lighting effects. Lighting Designer Kenneth Bell, as well as Magic Productions, styles the effects to match each scene, from the overture, to guiding the Vampire Brides in their entrance up the aisles. A lot of the scenes are dark and spooky. The lighting moves a lot; it is never stationary for an entire number, so it does a lot to affect the mood of each dance.
Cache Valley Civic Ballet’s production of Dracula is beautiful and haunting. It perfectly sets the Halloween mood with a classic monster tale and the art of dance. The music and choreography create an eerie piece of art worth viewing.
Cache Valley Civic Ballet Presents Dracula, Music by Danny Elfman and Wojciech Kilar
Ellen Eccles Theatre, 43 South Main St. Logan, Utah 84321
October 26-27, 7:30 PM
Tickets: $16-$18, available at the theatre box office or online
Cache Valley Civic Ballet’s Facebook Page
Dracula Facebook Event
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