The Coterie Captures the Halloween Spirit with Unique Production of Dracula October 9-27

The Coterie embraces the spirit of Halloween with its production of Dracula: The Journal of Jonathan Harker, a unique, one-actor tour-de-force performance based on the classic Gothic novel, Dracula, by Bram Stoker. Directed by Jeff Church, Dracula: The Journal of Jonathan Harker runs October 9 - 27, 2013.

ABOUT THE PLAY

Sent to Castle Dracula to deliver property deeds to the infamous Count, Jonathan Harker finds himself a witness to increasingly horrific sights, as his journal entries begin to reveal, until he becomes captive to an undead creature of the night. As a one-actor, multi-character thrill ride, Dracula: The Journal of Jonathan Harker is a faithful adaptation that closely adheres to the structure and story of the original novel.

When asked why this adaptation of Dracula was selected for The Coterie's main stage season, production director and Coterie producing artistic director Jeff Church said, "We love this script, which originated at Orlando Shakes, because it is so faithful to the form of Bram Stoker's original, which was written in journal and diary entries, telegrams and letters, etc. In this electrifying one man show, we get to hear the true source material performed from each of the character's point of view." Church also gave insight on what audiences can expect from actor Zachary Andrews, "Zach will portray a dozen characters, and you'll find each highly delineated. Zach, who is physically an adventurous performer, will usher us through the terrors of Dracula's move from Transylvania to the streets of London by use of a steampunk playground we've constructed for him. At times, he'll literally be over the heads of the audience."

When asked what excited him most about taking on the multiple roles in Dracula, Andrews explained, "This is, in many ways, the most faithful adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel I have come across. Unlike the multitude of movies and handful of stage plays, the bulk of the text in this adaptation is pulled directly from the novel, and nearly every major event is represented without embellishment. It is a marvel that Jim Helsinger's adaptation moves so quickly and is yet so faithful to the legendary source material."

Produced as part of The Coterie Sparks series, Dracula: The Journal of Jonathan Harker will be best appreciated by pre-teen age through adult. The production is funded in part by the Missouri Arts Council and ArtsKC Fund.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Dracula: The Journal of Jonathan Harker is a one-man show starring Zachary Andrews who will play all of the characters in the story, including Jonathan Harker and Count Dracula. A graduate of the UMKC acting program, Andrews was last seen at The Coterie as Randy in The Outsiders. Since then, Andrews has performed around the country with such companies as Riverside Theater, The Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Western Washington Summer Theater, Kansas City Rep, and The Denver Center Theatre Company. A few of his recent notable roles include Edmund in Long Day's Journey Into Night, Leo in Leading Ladies, and Satan in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot.

The artistic and Production Company includes Jeff Church (director), Scott Hobart (technical director), Jordan Janota (set designer), Georgianna Londré Buchanan (costume designer), Art Kent (lighting designer), Ron MeGee (properties), Daniel Warneke (sound designer), and Tanya Brown (production manager).

DRACULA BLOOD DRIVE

The Coterie and the Community Blood Center, the primary supplier of blood for the K.C. metro area hospitals, will co-host a blood drive on Saturday, October 19, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., in The Coterie Lab, located next to the box office on level one of Crown Center Shops. Those who help feed Dracula by donating blood will receive a coupon good for one FREE admission to any performance of Dracula: The Journal of Jonathan Harker (valid October 19 - 27). Those 16 years of age or older may make an appointment online at www.esavealifenow.org by using the Sponsor Code "COTERIE" or by contacting Kevin Albert at (816) 474-6785 ext. 221 or kalbert@coterietheatre.org.

SHOW DATES, TIMES & TICKETS

The Coterie, now in its 35th Season and named "One of the Five Best Theaters for Young Audiences in the U.S." by TIME magazine, will perform Dracula: The Journal of Jonathan Harker October 9 - 27, 2013, in The Coterie Theatre, located on level one of Crown Center Shops in Kansas City, MO. Press Night will be held on Friday, October 11, 2013, at 7:00 p.m.

Subscriptions: New this season! The Coterie introduces the Spotlight Club Pass. A great option for busy families, a Spotlight Club membership is like purchasing season tickets without committing to a set schedule. Spotlight Club members pay $90.00 for a flexible pass that includes 10 tickets - a savings of 40% off individual ticket prices - that can be used for any show or combination of shows in the 2013/2014 Season.

Individual Tickets: Tickets are $10.00 for youth under 18, students, and seniors age 60 and older, and $15.00 for adults.

Group Pricing: New this season! The Coterie now offers groups of 20 or more a special preview rate of $5.00 per person the first week of each run (holiday production excluded). After preview week, groups pay only $5.50 per person on weekdays and $6.50 per person on weekends (Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays).

Target Saturdays: To help encourage a love for the arts in young adults and children, Target generously sponsors The Coterie's Saturday matinees. Patrons who purchase a full price admission to any Saturday matinee will receive one free ticket per order. Some restrictions apply (see website for details). Often, Target will also include a free copy of the book on which a play is based.

All tickets and the new Spotlight Club Passes are on sale now and may be purchased by calling The Coterie's box office at (816) 474-6552, dropping by the box office on level one of the Crown Center Shops, or by visitingwww.thecoterie.org.

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