Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of Steven Dietz's DRACULA at Farmington Players Barn

"I want your fear. For your fear, like a current, rushes through your body. Your fear makes your heart pound, it renders your veins rich and full. Your fear hemorrhages deliciously within you." That hypnotic line from Dracula by Steven Dietz, sets a terrifying tone for a new season of "killer shows" at The Farmington Players Barn. John Boufford of Northville Township directs the new adaptation of the classic horror tale that he refers to as a "PG-13" production. The play preserves the suspense and seduction found in Bram Stoker's famous novel. It opens October 11th on the Barn's brand new stage floor, and runs through November 2nd. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast below!

Rich in both humor and horror, Dracula paints a bone-chilling picture of the fanged beast Count Dracula played by Rick Mickley of Keego Harbor. As Dracula begins to stalk the people of London, Dr. Van Helsing (Guy Copland of Berkley) and his team try to piece together the clues in a valiant attempt to save themselves from a hideous fate.

Meanwhile, the piercing shrieks of Dracula's servant, the madman Renfield, shake the walls of an insane asylum. "I thought playing the guy who's insane would be an easy thing for some reason," says Gary Weinstein of Farmington Hills. Weinstein is known as a zany character actor at the Barn, and Renfield's mood swings are perfect for the talented performer. "Really the core of what I'm excited about in the role is the small shift between being sane and insane that Renfield deals with on a daily basis," says Weinstein.

"Dracula" is one of the most technically heavy shows the Barn has ever done, and Boufford chose Keith Janoch of Farmington Hills as Technical Director in charge of presenting an "amazing sensory experience for the audience." Boufford says, "we have so many different effects, the goal is that the audience will not realize that they are watching effects, but that they are simply immersed into the story."

Rounding out the cast are Meredith Deighton as Mina and Jennifer Beitzel as Lucy, two of Dracula's targets who share stories about their love lives. Keith Firstenberg and David Galido as Harker and Seward, risking their lives to protect their women. Julia Spina-Kilar and Jayne Firstenberg play Dracula's screaming vixens, and Arman Banooni serves as an attendant in the asylum.

Tickets are available at both www.farmingtonplayers.org and the box office at 248-553-2955. Prices: Adults: $16; Students: $2 off any performance; Senior Sunday: Only on Sunday October 13 ($2 off for Seniors); Thrifty Thursday: $2 off for everyone ONLY on Halloween! October 31. Group Discounts: $2 off any show with a group of ten or more people. The Farmington Players Barn is located at 32332 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills Michigan 48334. It's the big white barn on the north side of 12 mile between Orchard Lake and Farmington Rd.

Photo Credit: William M. Soule

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