Stage Review - Dracula (Renton Civic Theatre)

Stage Review - Dracula
Presented By: Renton Civic Theatre - Renton, WA
Show Run: October 17 - November 02, 2025
Date Reviewed: Thursday, October 23, 2025
Run Time: 2 Hours, 30 Minutes (inclusive of a 15-minute intermission)
Reviewed By: Greg Heilman

There’s a certain intrigue that comes with Dracula—a story that has endured for well over a century and continues to find new life with every retelling. And while many adaptations of Bram Stoker’s novel exist, Nathan Kessler-Jeffrey’s, which is currently running on stage at Renton Civic Theatre through November 2 in a production directed by Brad Lo Walker, takes the tale of the infamous Count and transforms it into a sharply focused, character-driven thriller that explores obsession, morality, and the thin line between faith and fear. This version streamlines Stoker’s sprawling novel into a cohesive, emotionally charged stage piece that captures both the gothic elegance and psychological intensity at the heart of the story.

The story follows Jonathan Harker (Michael Yichao), who travels to Transylvania to assist Count Dracula (Tadd Morgan) with a real estate transaction, only to discover the Count’s horrifying secret. Back in England, Mina Murray (Dani Davis), Lucy Westenra (Mariesa Genzale), and Dr. Jack Seward (David Breyman) become entangled in the Count’s web, as Abraham Van Helsing (Phillip Keiman) leads the charge to uncover and destroy the evil that has crossed the sea. It’s a tale of love and death, of faith and corruption, and of the human spirit’s desperate attempt to overcome darkness.

On the production side, Thaddeus Wilson’s set is stark—almost monastic—feeling more like a church than a traditional gothic manor. Few props are evident at the outset, but they’re brought in and utilized as needed, often with purpose and precision. There’s a plethora of wooden stakes to go around, but the highlight in Jeffery Swiney-Weaver’s collection of props is the Blood Transfusion Apparatus used by Van Helsing to replenish Lucy’s depleted supply as Dracula tries to “turn” her. It’s a wonderful and period-specific piece of equipment that adds authenticity to the production. Lighting and sound are both used effectively to enhance the storytelling. The subtle temperature shifts in lighting when actors mime the opening or closing of curtains, though no physical drapes exist, is a particularly clever touch. Likewise, the lighting against the back wall provides a striking sense of time and mood, with splashes of red when Dracula is at work that, while not wholly unique, work especially well here.

Sound design is finely balanced—the clatter of horses’ hooves and the creak of a carriage are suitably audible but never intrusive. Jacob Viramontes’ lighting design and Ari Nikas’ and Emma Peters’ sound design demonstrate a cohesive understanding of how atmosphere can elevate narrative tension including a standout lighting moment that occurs when Dracula vanishes between flashes of light—beautifully executed and deeply effective in heightening suspense. Rachel Brinn’s costumes are well executed, particularly Dracula’s black ensemble with cape and silver trim. Accents across the cast are handled well: Tadd Morgan’s gradual transition from a thick Eastern European dialect to a more refined English accent as Dracula relocates from Transylvania is especially well done, and Phillip Keiman’s Germanic Van Helsing provides the right touch of authenticity without tipping into caricature.

The story unfolds through a series of letters and journal entries, narrated to the audience and interwoven with live action. Each actor handles this narrative device effectively, keeping the pace crisp and the storytelling clear. Performance highlights include Tadd Morgan as Dracula, whose mannerisms and vocal control exude pure Transylvanian menace while his command of the stage and his layered vocal choices make for a captivating presence. Michael Yichao is excellent as Jonathan Harker, the solicitor turned horrified witness to Dracula’s dark power, Angela Marith delivers a suitably unhinged Renfield while also balancing the moral poise of Sister Agatha—a strong dual performance that brings dimension to the casting, Dani Davis shines as Mina, particularly in Act 2, where her character’s strength and defiance come through clearly, Mariesa Genzale is compelling as Lucy, especially after falling under Dracula’s spell—her seductiveness and transformation are highlights, and Phillip Keiman’s Van Helsing carries authority, intellect, and gravitas, commanding attention in every scene. Cameron Widmark rounds out the cast as Arthur Holmwood, Lucy’s betrothed who needs to come to terms with her transformation under Dracula’s sway.

This production is an enjoyable and wholly respectful treatment of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The design of the show and the performances from the cast show a grasp of the tone of this particular adaptation, and while it does very well with pace and quick scene changes, there are a couple of moments that don’t quite align with the show’s darker mood. The physical fighting between Dracula and his pursuers occasionally feels a bit cartoonish, diminishing the gravity of the action. Likewise, the juxtaposition of Mina and Jonathan’s wedding scene with the staking of Lucy—while aiming for cinematic cross-cutting—tends to dilute the emotional weight of both moments. The Thursday night audience even let out a few unintended laughs when the tone should have been much heavier. But to Brad’s credit, he keeps the audience engaged through movement, staging, and pace and his production is quite faithful to the legendary story.

The Renton Civic Theatre production of Dracula is an adaptation that relies more on character work than on shock or gore, and under Brad Lo Walker’s direction, the production finds a balance between human emotion and eerie suspense. It’s a strong interpretation—faithful yet fresh—a darkly elegant and well-paced retelling that leans into mood and atmosphere over spectacle, with performances that serve both the humanity and horror of the story. It’s intelligent, well-crafted theatre—a perfect tale for this time of year.

Dracula runs on stage at Renton Civic Theatre through November 2. For more information, including ticket availability and sales, visit https://rentoncivictheatre.org/f.

Photo credit: Colin Madison Photography