BWW Exclusive: DRACULA: A CHAMBER MUSICAL is Coming to Stratford for One Night Only via INNERchamber

In 1999 an original Canadian musical production based on the Bram Stoker classic, Dracula graced the stage at the Stratford Festival's Avon Theatre. On October 30th, a concert version of that same haunting and beautiful musical is returning to Stratford as part of INNERchamber's 8th season. The INNERchamber ensemble treats music fans in Stratford to a variety of events each season. Their home base is typically Factory 163, but for several reasons, this particular production will be held at Knox Presbyterian Church.

A little over a week ago, I had the opportunity to sit down with the composer of Dracula: A Chamber Musical (D:ACM), Marek Norman. Mr. Norman is the Composer in Residence for INNERchamber, and is the Music Director for this production. He spoke with me about the joy he takes in mounting the production for INNERchamber, because it allows for the musical to be done in the way it was originally imagined: "When Dracula was first done [it was] born of that Andrew Lloyd Webber aesthetic-which was very credible in the 80's and 90's and was very grand and everything was slightly heightened and somewhat overblown, and because of that, and because our producers who were excited about the piece were encouraging us to kind of go that route, all of the productions [there have been 4] were elegant and handsome and lovely and huge. But Richard Ouzounian (writer/lyricist) and I had always intended to try and maintain the integrity of Bram Stoker's novel...which is quite intimate and Victorian, and has a Rashomon quality to it, wherein people all write journals [with] their ideas of what is happening during the same time period-which intrigued us. Because of that intimacy, we wanted to write a true Chamber approach to it so it was more intimate than grand. " He acknowledged that "just the nature of the story" allows for "grand moments" and a "heightened aspect of it all" but that he is excited about this upcoming concert version because "it will be the first time that it is done much more in keeping with what we originally intended".

Mr. Norman also spoke about the way in which this project came to be. He explained that the idea actually came from INNERchamber Artistic Director, Andrew Chung and elaborated that when Mr. Chung invited him to become Composer-In-Residence, he asked about the sorts of things that he might like to do and then asked if he would consider doing a concert version of Dracula. Norman explained that Ben Bolt-Martin, a member of the INNERchamber ensemble, had played Cello in the original Stratford production of D:ACM and had told Andrew that he had enjoyed it and that "maybe it would be a good departure for INNERchamber."

In an email exchange, Mr. Chung added: "Marek and I have worked on a number of projects together through his role as INNERchamber's Composer-in-Residence. Though our collaborations have been largely instrumental, I felt it was good timing to try something a bit more ambitious, touching on Marek's amazing skill as a composer of musical theatre. Dracula: A Chamber Musical is a perfect fit because INNERchamber is not really in the business of produc[ing] fully staged musicals, but we certainly like to explore all the ways that a chamber music aesthetic can intersect with other art forms. When Marek spoke about how it would be wonderful to stage D:ACM in a concert setting with a minimalist approach to staging, it seemed a great opportunity to work with the wealth of singing talent to be found in the Stratford area. Having this musical-in-concert set so close to Halloween, while being near the close of the Stratford Festival season, provides many of the actors involved in D:ACM a nice segue into a project that's entirely different."

Mr. Norman and Mr. Chung started having serious conversations about making D:ACM part of this season "a little over a year ago". Mr. Norman then recruited acclaimed director Marti Maraden to come onboard. He shared that she was "very intrigued and excited about the idea". Once he had his director, he turned to finding his seven-person cast of actors. "I started to put together the voices that I imagined would be best suited for this, and so...I started investigating all of these various people and pretty much to a person, they were all available and interested." Mr. Norman describes the performers as "an embarrassment of riches". He excitedly discussed the beautiful orchestra that Andrew Chung has compiled and of the cast, commented, "to a person, our cast is just perfectly suited to the roles and they sing like angels." He also shared that despite a rather unique rehearsal process (due to everyone's busy schedules, most rehearsals thus far have been Mr. Norman one-on-one with each performer), the actors are having a great time and are coming into rehearsal excited and very prepared.

Among the cast are Ayrin Mackie (who can currently be seen in Drayton Entertainment's ROCK OF AGES) as Mina Murray and Jennifer Rider-Shaw (who just finished a run as Josephine in Stratford Festival's HMS PINAFORE) as Lucy Westenra. Both actresses kindly took the time to discuss their experiences working on this project. When asked what drew her to the project, Ms. Rider-Shaw shared: "Marek asked if I would be a part of this project earlier this year and I was immediately excited for the chance to work with him again. I wasn't familiar with the show before, but I know Marek and I have always enjoyed my time with him. So I suppose having the opportunity to work one on one with Marek is what drew me to this show." Ms. Mackie also cited Mr. Norman as a key reason why she jumped on the opportunity: "Marek approached me about this project and I was immediately interested. His commitment to integrity and passion for what he does is an inspiration to everyone around." She added that she had seen the production of D:ACM that was put on by the Charlottetown Festival. "[It] has always remained with me, so I was quite excited to be a part of it."

Both actors also spoke to the unique rehearsal process. "It is something I've never experienced before", shared Mackie, "rehearsing independent of the rest of the cast and only meeting up a week before the presentation." Adds Rider-Shaw, "We actually won't all sing together until our Sitzprobe which is a bit scary but also exciting!" The pair did get to briefly rehearse together when Mackie stopped in during one of Rider-Shaw's rehearsal sessions. Both agreed that they are most excited to hear the entire cast and orchestra together at the Sitzprobe. Marek Norman agreed, "When all seven are singing together, it's going to be ridiculously thrilling." Mackie adds: "Marek Norman, has created such a beautiful journey for all of us, on the page and throughout the rehearsal process, it really has been a gift each step of the way."

Rounding out the cast are David Rogers as Dracula, Mark Uhre as Jonathan Harker, Marcus Nance as Van Helsing, Sean Arbuckle as Renfield, and Cyrus Lane as Dr. Seward.

In the orchestra, are: Andrew Chung on violin, Julie Baumgartel on violin, Judith Davenport on viola, Ben Bolt-Martin on cello, Marek Norman on piano, and Graham Hargrove on percussion.

Norman highlighted the addition of Hargrove as something else that makes this particular production unique. He explained that although the Knox Presbyterian Church is a great location that will provide an appropriate gothic feel, it is also a giant space, and that this could have caused the 5 instruments and 7 voices to potentially seem "fragile". To avoid this, he has, for the first time, added "a wall of percussion" which he states will absolutely give the show a new sound. He explained "Some of it is quite bombastic because of the nature of the instruments but much of it is magical and ethereal...so it has a mystical quality to it that I'm very excited about." He discussed a rehearsal he recently had with Hargrove, who we both agreed is a "Percussive Wizard". "What Graham always brings-let alone just beautiful playing and great technique...he brings this fantastic energy and sense of whimsy and adventure to what he does. So much of the time is spent experimenting with what I've done. He will say, 'What if we try this?' So it's a real blessing to have Graham involved and I think he's going to add a thrilling element to the piece."

While chatting with Mr. Norman, I shared that the first production that I ever saw at the Stratford Festival was Dracula: A Chamber Musical in 1999 and that I just thought it was so cool that it was making its return in Stratford. A particular number I remember very clearly is the one at the end of Act 1 in which all seven characters are singing. I asked how the rehearsal for this number is going, with the knowledge that everyone is rehearsing independently of one another. "All of our actors-and me, for that matter, we all have a little bit of anxiety about that, only because it is a bit of a monster." Norman shared. "It's exciting when it works but it is very challenging. So what I've done to try and ensure that it's not horribly difficult for us once we get into the Sitzprobe...I've actually reinforced a lot of that particular section [with percussion]... Graham is helping us to anchor those moments, but also, I've changed... the piano accompaniment somewhat in that section so that it gives them much more of a solid anchor and they'll feel the meter. But having said all of that, I have to say that I'm so impressed with the musicality of our entire cast, because it is challenging but they've all embraced it."

With the October 30th production just around the corner, it is easy to feel the exhilaration and excitement that is being exuded from all involved! I cannot think of a better way to spend the night before Halloween! Be sure to get your tickets!

WHAT: Dracula: A Chamber Musical By Marek Norman and Richard Ouzounian; Directed by Marti Maraden with Musical Direction by Marek Norman

WHEN: Monday, Oct. 30th at 7:30pm

WHERE: Knox Presbyterian Church (142 Ontario St. Stratford, ON)

Tickets for this production and for all other INNERchamber productions are available at www.innerchamber.ca

Tickets are also available in person at Fanfare Books on Ontario Street in Stratford, as well as at the door on the night of the performance.

The fantastic rehearsal photos featured in this article, were taken by Photographer Irene Miller. More can be seen on both the INNERchamber and Marek Norman Music Facebook pages.

Additional upcoming INNERchamber productions include:

1867 on Dec. 3; Between The Wars on Feb. 28th; Under the Apple Tree on April 8th; and Youth on May 27th. More information about each of these productions can be found at www.innerchamber.ca

[Minor edits made for grammar Oct. 22]

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