(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Since the early 1990’s, ELTC has offered regularly scheduled ASL performances, as well as ASL performances when requested and ELTC is given appropriate notice.  On Friday, August 26 at 8:30 p.m., there will be an American Sign Language Interpretation of "Dracula" produced by the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company.

The theatrical ASL interpreters are Gina Lanza, who has performed many times for ELTC, and Amy Anderson who teaches ASL at Ocean City High School. The process involves them seeing the production at least once, plus going over the script several times to figure out who will interpret which roles, and in many cases, come up with signage for unusual names and words. The ASL interpreters do not distract audience members who do not require this service. 

Bram Stoker’s gothic novel, “Dracula,” has remained popular since it first hit the bookstores in 1897. Stoker failed to get his theatrical adaptation produced, but Hamilton Deane succeeded when he brought his version to the London stage in 1924. Before opening on Broadway in 1927, John L. Balderston was hired to revise it.

This popular Balderston and Deane adaptation is thrilling fun for the whole family. It begins with Dr. Seward’s daughter, Lucy, suffering suddenly from anemia. After much investigation, Dr. Van Helsing, a specialist in obscure diseases, suspects she might be the victim of a vampire.  Her troubles seem to have begun with the arrival of the town’s newest neighbor, Count Dracula. 

Samuel Douglas Clark takes on the role of Dracula, and James Rana portrays Van Helsing.  Both have performed with ELTC before. In his native Australia, Clark performed in national tours, films, and on television. Also a playwright, Rana is working on a play about World War I to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the United States entering into the Great War. It will have its world premiere at ELTC next summer.

Three other ELTC favorites are Thomas Raniszewski, who plays Dr. Seward, Evan Smilyk who portrays Renfield, and Robert LeMaire, who takes on the role of Butterworth.  Raniszewski and Smilyk, along with Clark, were in last season’s “Huckleberry Finn,” adapted by Rana. LeMaire currently is the sound effects person for ELTC’s Sherlock Holmes and Nick Carter radio-style shows. 

New to ELTC are Rachel Holt, who plays Lucy, Matthew Lindsay Payne, who is Lucy’s betrothed, Jonathan Harker, and Tara Reuter, who is Wells, the maid. 

Holt’s credits include “The Alchemist” at The Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington D.C. and “An Ideal Husband” at the Walnut Street Theatre. Payne recently was in “Hamlet” at Cohesion Theater Company in Baltimore. Reuter’s credits include “Love, Sex, and the IRS” at The Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C.

“Dracula” was directed by Gayle Stahlhuth, who also designed the set, which was built by ELTC’s technical director, Lee O’Connor, with assistance from Kit Marlowe and Corbin Cogswell. The set was painted by Harriett Sosson, and Marion Brady provided the costumes.

Another opportunity to become further acquainted with “Dracula’s” playwright, John L. Baldertson is on Thursday, August 18 at 4:00 p.m. when Stephanie Garrett and Lee O’Connor read his “Morality Play for the Leisured Class” for ELTC’s popular “Tales of the Victorians.”  The location is The Leach House, 1011 Lafayette St., Cape May.  Reservations are requested and may be made by contacting ELTC.    

“Dracula” runs four nights a week, Wednesdays through Saturdays, at 8:30 p.m. at the historic First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., Cape May, through September 3.  Tickets are $32; $27 for seniors (age 62+); $17 for full-time students and those in the military or a veteran.  Ages 12 and under are free.  For further information and to make reservations, call 609-884-5898, e-mail eastlynneco@aol.com, or visit www.eastlynnetheater.org.

Photo: Samuel Douglas Clark and Evan Smilyk in East Lynne Theater Company’s production of “Dracula.” Photo credit: Gayle Stahlhuth