Site-Specific DRACULA Begins Tonight at Morris-Jumel Mansion

Morris-Jumel Mansion has announced the presentation of the Steven Dietz adaptation of DRACULA, directed by Vincent Carbone.

Bram Stoker's gothic legend of seduction and immortality will be presented in the historic Octagon room of the mansion surrounded by period art and furnishings.

The Morris-Jumel Mansion has a rich history dating back to 1765 and saw several important events including serving as a headquarters for George Washington during the Revolutionary War and as a home to Aaron Burr after his assassination of Alexander Hamilton.

Lin-Manuel Miranda sought inspiration for Hamilton the musical by writing portions of it at the Morris-Jumel Mansion. He composed the songs "Wait For It" and "The Room Where It Happens" in Aaron Burr's bedroom at the Morris-Jumel Mansion.

The Dietz play is recognized as the most faithful to the book but uses flashbacks instead of a strict chronological order. Closely following the plot of the novel, the play chronicles Count Dracula's journey to England, his stalking of two young women, and his pursuit and eventual defeat by the heroines' suitors and their associates.

Director Carbone says, "With this production, it is my goal to honor Stoker's original text from 1897 while not relying on certain redundant artistic choices such as gratuitous blood and jump scares. The intimate nature of the venue and the minimalist artistic approach that we are taking are meant to focus on the text in an attempt to peel back the layers of each character. Nothing is being done without reason."

There will be nine regular performances of the play on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays at 8PM, beginning tonight, October 20th. A special benefit cocktail event will take place on Thursday, October 26th, at 7PM.

Tickets are $30 per person, $25 for members and seniors, $20 for students. The October 26th event ticket is $150. Seating is strictly limited to no more than 22 seats per performance. Tickets available on eventbrite.com.

For more info on Morris-Jumel, visit www.morrisjumel.org or call (212) 923-8008. The mansion is located in upper Manhattan at 65 Jumel Terrace and is accessible by the 1, A & C lines.

The DRACULA cast features: Luff Josa - Abraham Van Helsing; Oscar Pavlo - Dracula; Tiffany Springle - Mina Harker; Ninoshka De Leon Gill - Lucy Westenra; Tim Ellison - Jonathan Harker; Andy Antao - John Seward; Mickey Abbate - Renfield; Rachel Lepore - Maid; and Shawna Wigney - Vixen/Attendant.

Vincent Carbone is a graduate of the SUNY College at Brockport Department of Theater. Past directing assignments featured at the Morris-Jumel Mansion include AWAKENING IN INK, ALICE IN WONDERLAND, FANCY ME MAD, and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. Other directing credits include BIRD BATH, K2, DOG SEES GOD: CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE BLOCKHEAD, THE YELLOW WALLPAPER, FANCY ME MAD, AMERICAN DAD, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, THE NINA VARIATIONS, CUL-DE- SAC, TICK, TICK BOOM!, WEST SIDE STORY, and THE JUNGLE BOOK. Visit Vincentcarbone.net for more.

Steven Dietz is an American playwright. With the exception of "Fiction," produced Off-Broadway by the Roundabout Theatre Company in 2004, the vast majority of Dietz's plays are produced in American regional theaters. During the 2015-16 season, Dietz premiered three new plays: "Bloomsday" (American Theatre Critics Association Steinberg New Play Award Citation), "This Random World" (Humana Festival of New American Plays), and the thriller "On Clover Road" (National New Play Network rolling world premiere). In 2010, Dietz was once again named one of the most produced playwrights in America (excluding Shakespeare), placing eighth on the list of the Top Ten Most Produced Playwrights in America, tied with Tennessee Williams and Edward Albee for number of productions. Other recent plays include the black comedy, "Rancho Mirage"] and the contemporary riff on Arthur Schnitzler's "Reigen" entitled "American la Ronde". Dietz has taught in the MFA Playwriting and Directing programs at the University of Texas at Austin since 2006. In addition, he is a Dramatists Guild "Traveling Master", teaching workshops and master classes on playwriting & story-making around the U.S.

At 250 years old, Morris-Jumel Mansion is Manhattan's oldest house. Built in 1765 by British Army Colonel Roger Morris, the Mansion served as headquarters to General George Washington during the 1776 battle of New York and, for 30 years, was the residence of Eliza Jumel, one of America's richest women and second wife to Vice President Aaron Burr. Today, Morris-Jumel Mansion is a not-for-profit museum, welcoming tens of thousands of international and local visitors annually, including elementary- and high school-aged children.

Committed to preserving, interpreting, and making relevant to diverse audiences the Mansion's illustrious past and varied collection of period art and furnishings, Morris-Jumel is a member of the Historic House Trust of New York City and the American Alliance of Museums.

The Mansion is located in upper Manhattan at 65 Jumel Terrace, and is open to the public Tuesdays to Fridays from 10 am to 4 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm. Accessible by subway on the 1, A, and C lines. For more information, visit www.morrisjumel.org.

To post a comment, you must register and login.