Theatrical Musings
'Dark Shadows' Icons Record 'Dracula'
By Tommy Garrett
May 4, 2011 - 11:55:45 PM

Ben Cross As Dracula

BRENTWOOD—“Dracula” lives and this time he lives through a famous man who played a vampire in the iconic 1970s television series “Dark Shadows.” Then there is the man who will play Van Helsing in the new play. He played a werewolf on the same series. Before “Twilight,” before “True Blood,” only one vampire commanded ‘the children of the night,’ and he’s about to return to the stage and radio thanks to L.A. Theatre Works.

In this blood-thirsty tale of unholy terror, Count Dracula (Ben Cross) slips into Victorian London with a cargo of his native Transylvanian soil - so he can rest between victims. The city seems helpless against his frightful power, and only one man, Dr. Van Helsing (David Selby), can stop the carnage. But to do this, he must uncover the vampire’s secret lair and pierce his heart with a wooden stake. All performances will be recorded to air on L.A. Theatre Works’ syndicated radio theater series, which broadcasts weekly on public radio stations nationwide and can be streamed on demand at Latw.org.

Both Selby and Cross were beloved by viewers of the cult classic soap opera “Dark Shadows,” and both are respected stage, film and television thespians. There is such excitement surrounding these two acting geniuses, and this is a way to bring young TV enthusiasts to the theatre and enjoy what is perhaps the most respected, tough and fully-rewarding acting experience in the world. The stage is always preferred by the world’s best and most distinguished actors.

David Selby As Van Helsing

“Dracula” by L.A. Theatre Works is written by Charley Morey from the novel by British novelist Bram Stoker from centuries ago. This production is directed by famed director Rosalind Ayres and in addition to handsome actors Selby and Cross, it also stars Lisa O’Hare as Mina and Moira Quirk as Lucy. It also features Sheelagn Cullen and Andre Sogliuzzo.

The production will run from this month. Wednesday, May 18 at 8 p.m., Thursday, May 19 at 8 p.m. and Friday, May 20 at 8 p.m. Then on Saturday, May 21 at 2:30 p.m. and finally Sunday, May 22 at 4 p.m. The L.A. Theatre Works is at the Skirball Cultural Center at 2701 North Sepulveda Blvd. in L.A. The Box Office can be reached at 310-827-0889 or at Latw.org.

Tickets are: $20, $36, $49

Other L.A. Theatre Works’ radio theater series can be heard locally in Southern California on 89.3 KPCC every Saturday from 10 p.m. to midnight, Theatre Works can also be heard on the following stations (check local listings for broadcast times): 89.7 WGBH, Boston; 91.5 FM WBEZ, Chicago; 94.9 KUOW, Seattle; 90.1 WABE, Atlanta; 94.1 KPFA, Berkeley; 91.1 KRCB, North Bay (San Francisco); and in over 100 other markets nationwide.