Williamstown Theatre Festival Presents Free Run of DRACULA, OR THE UN-DEAD, Now thru 7/19

One of the most haunting figures of our common imagination, Dracula has stalked his nightmarish way through the years, never failing to leave an impression and the indelible marks of his fangs. As "the Count" sets forth from Transylvania on his dark mission to infest London and then the whole world with vampires, Dracula, or the Un-Dead asks if modern science and reason can stand up to him. Lawson's suspense-filled adaptation evokes goose bumps, but not nightmares, making this production appropriate for the entire family (recommended for ages eight and up).

"WTF Free Theatre is a special way that we give back to the Williamstown community, and it is one of my favorite events of the summer," said WTF Artistic Director Jenny Gersten. "Steve Lawson has been a part of the WTF family for over four decades and we could not be more thrilled to share his remarkably entertaining and spine-tingling rendition of Dracula. Bring a picnic, the whole family...and perhaps some garlic."

WTF Free Theatre is teaming up with Berkshire Health System Blood Mobile to perform blood drives on July 12th and July 18th from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the '62 Center for Theatre and Dance. According to Terry Bills Administrative Director of Berkshire Health System, "It's estimated that of the 300 million people living in the US, 180 million are eligible to give blood, but only 5% do. The shelf life for red blood cells is 42 days, which means the blood supply has to be constantly replenished."

Written by Bram Stoker and adapted by WTF veteran Steve Lawson, who celebrates his 42nd WTF season, NYU Tisch School of the Arts Graduate and non-Equity member Jordan Fein (The Zoo Story, The Elephant Man) directs Dracula, or the Un-Dead. The cast also features non-Equity members: Noah Averbach-Katz playing the role of the blood thirsty Count, JoNathan Bock as Jonathan Harker, Andrew R. Butler as Professor Van Helsing, Elsa Carette as the ever sought-after Lucy Westenra, Erik Olson as Renfield, and Morgan Everitt as Mina Murray. WTF Acting apprentices featured in the production include: John Kroft as Arthur Holmwood, Nicholas DeMarco as the cunning Dr. John Steward, and Max Sheldon as the Southern Gentleman Quincy Morris, along with an Ensemble of Apprentices including MacGregor J. Arney, Madeline Boles, Arianna Geneson, Naïma Hebrail Kidjo, Julia Izumi, Matt Ketai, Tierney Malloy Lanham, Ian Mather, Eli Pauley, and Ryan Christopher Woods.

The creative team includes Andrew R. Butler (Composer), Libby Stadstad (Scenic Design), Nicole Slaven (Costume Design), Alejandro Fajardo(Lighting Design), Kelsi Halverson (Sound Design), Reilly Miller, Ravi Rakkulchon (Properties Design), Lisa Kopitsky (Fight Director), and Maura Hooper (Dialect Coach). Natalie Price is the Production Stage Manager and Rosie DiVicenzo is the Stage Manager.

Tickets for all Williamstown Theatre Festival productions can be purchased online at wtfestival.org, by phone at 413-597-3400, or in person at the '62 Center for Theatre and Dance Box Office at 1000 Main St (Route 2), Williamstown, MA 02167.

Since 1955, the Williamstown Theatre Festival has brought America's finest actors, directors, designers, and playwrights to the Berkshires, engaging a loyal audience of both residents and summer visitors. Each WTF season is designed to present unique opportunities for artists and audience alike, revisiting classic plays with innovative productions, developing and nurturing bold new plays and musicals, and offering a rich array of accompanying cultural events including Free Theatre, Late-Night Cabarets, readings, workshops, and educational programs. While best known for our acclaimed productions, WTF is also home to one of the nation's top training and professional development programs for new generations of aspiring theatre artists and administrators. WTF was honored with the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre in 2002 and the Commonwealth Award for Achievement in 2011. www.wtfestival.org

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