(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Halloween just wouldn’t be the same without taking in a performance of Atlantic City Ballet’s Dracula. Since 2006, Dracula has been mesmerizing audiences with its spell binding choreography, beautiful costumes and captivating music. This year Dracula heads to The Strand Theater in Lakewood on October 28 and returns to the Circus Maximus Theater in Atlantic City on October 29.

Dracula, an original work, choreographed by Founder and Artistic Director, Phyllis Papa, is a full length ballet that has captured audience’s imaginations with hypnotic fascination. “Despite the image of the main character, AC Ballet’s production is family friendly,” says Phyllis Papa. “Young and old can enjoy our ballet which follows closely to the Bram Stoker novel”

Looking for a ballet tradition that equals Nutcracker, Phyllis Papa created Dracula in hopes of bringing a younger audience to the ballet. This year audiences are invited to come in costume to both the Atlantic City and Lakewood performances. A costume parade after the performance will be held and prizes given.

Performances are on Saturday, October 28 at 7:00pm at The Strand Theater in Lakewood and Sunday, October 29 at 4:30pm at Circus Maximus Theater inside Caesar's Hotel in Atlantic City.

Founded in 1982, by International Ballerina, Phyllis Papa, the Atlantic City Ballet is comprised of culturally diverse professional dancers from around the world that have earned national acclaim for their technical expertise and exuberant stage presence. Although their home base is in Historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, the Ballet has performed in theaters all along the east coast. Their repertoire of original works includes such classics as A Midsummer Night's Dream, Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake but Ms. Papa is most known for her innovative works such as Dracula, Caught Up In The Swing and her full length Carmen. Since its establishment, the Atlantic City Ballet has served as one of the cultural treasures of New Jersey and continues a tradition of dance excellence for future generations of ballet audiences.