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16 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, February 14, 1989 Borelians present Draculawith 'passion' Dracula has captivated and en- tranced his followers for decades, ever since Bram Stoker first penned this immortal character in 1897. His story has been told and retold on the screen, on stage and in print and has never grown outdated or redundant. There are three popular stage versions: one, known as 'Count Dracula', * played to enthusiastic full houses at Young People's Theatre in Toronto last month. But Port Perry will soon be mesmerized by another version of this eerie tale by playwrights Bob Hall and David Richmond, known as "The Passion of Dracula'. The plot is familiar, set in the home of Dr. Seward, overseer of a resthome for the mentally incompetent, just down the road from the dark and brooding house recently occupied by the enchanting Count Dracula himself. For the Borelians' production, John H. Foote, Port Perry's popular, prolific and innovative director, has taken the story a step further, by updating it to 1989 and setting it in New York City. Theatre goers will remember last year's smash comic romp, "Jit- ters" and the brilliant "Agnes of God" this past December, both directed by John, and should an- ticipate another sold-out show. John has amassed a dedicated cast and crew, spear-headed by his favourite producer, Donna Shanley. The actors range from novice, Ralph Price, in his first- ever role playing the vampire -hunter, Dr. VanHelsing, to veteran Steve Foote (named Best Actor at the 1988 Theatre Ontario drama festival) in the title role. Doc Price (no relation, he assures me, to Uncle Vincent) has been bitten by the theatre-bug, likely caught from son, Taylor. He is drawing on his own pioneering, cowboy spirit to breathe life into the para-scientific VanHelsing. The befanged blood-glutton, Count Dracula is a limitless role for Steve and an ideal vehicle for . his superb vocal capacity. Although the text is light, it pro- vides a challenge for all nine ac- tors, with each character being exaggerated and complex. Tammi-Lee Chilco plays Dr. Helga VanZandt, a split- personality, one moment, prude and perfectionist, the next, seething sexpot. Helga's victim the drunken, childish and randy Lord Godalming, is played with flourish by Ed Daigle, a long-time Borelian and student of theatre who is welcomed back to the Town Hall stage after an absence of a few years. Wilhemina, the love-interest of both the vampire and Harker, a human male, is played by talented Zakeana Reid. Not a deep character, emotionally, and yet a difficult portrayal - the young innocent becoming ever- more posessed by 'The Master'. Harker is a yuppie reporter who may be a gold-digger and a bit of a "'woosey"', but in the end, wins sympathy. He is played by Maurice Burgess, who is return- ing to the Borelian troupe which -- PSYCHOTHERAPY -- -- DIVORCE MEDIATION -- -- STRESS MANAGEMENT -- Port Perry Counselling Services MEDICAL ASSOCIATES, 462 PAXTON ST. #XY, Maureen Salkeld, B.A., M.Ed. -- MARRIAGE & FAMILY COUNSELLING -- 985-0757 -- DAY or EVENING -- Why wait for your tax refund when you could get Cash Back FT £4 If you qualify you can get a cheque for 85% of the first $300 of your tax refund and 95% of the rest. Plus your tax return will be accurately prepared at no extra charge. So why wait for the refund cheque to arrive by mail? Ask about Cash Back at H&R Block, and get your refund fast. Available at most H&R Block offices. PORT PERRY (Above the Post Office) 985-9803 OPEN WEEKDAYS 10 AM to 4 PM Steve Foote (left) as Dracula and Ralph Price as Van Helsing In a scene from , the up-coming Borellans production of the "Passion of Dracula." This up-dated (to 1989) version of the popular classic opens February 24 at Town Hall 1873 and will be followed by four more performances. (see story for dates) Tickets are $8 each and now on sale at Just Around the Corner on Perry Street In Port Per- ry. launched his twelve-year acting career including professional children's theatre and animation voice-overs. Dr. Seward, a somewhat befuddled and blustering psychiatrist, is acted by Terry Hodgins, who gave us the delightfully confused Sir Slipshod of last season's "Dragon" fame. Seward's eccentric servant, Jameson, is a refreshingly fluffy role for Chris Francom, who has typically handled headier stuff, such as the neurotic playwright, Robert, in "Jitters". Chris has also designed the intriguing set for "The Passion of Dracula", in- corporating the New York skyline. This is his third set design 1989 NISSAN KING CAB DIX 510,995 * AM/FM stereo in the past eighteen months; the first of these was for The Dressor at O.L.T. (nominated for a 1988 THEA award) and the second was the beautiful and ethereal stage set for 'Agnes of God". Ah! But what of poor Renfield, the fly-eating, spider-crunching nutcake who plunges deep into Dracula's spell? For this role, John has a surprise - Renfield is female! And why not, when played by the fiery Sherri Todd who, in reality, is terrified of spiders but meets an acting challenge head-on. (You'll have trouble believing this is the same Sherri who played Mother Superior in "Agnes of God.) This entire troupe is cemented DRIVE A HARD BARGAIN cassette o Power steering ¢ Bucket seats o Carpeting e Jump Seals ¢ Fuel Injected Available Automalic « All Season Radials 3 year 60,000 km bumper to bumper warranty 6 years 100,000 km powertrain warranty NISSAN KING CAB VS. THE COMPETITION NISSAN K/CAB DLX $10,995 CAB PLUS $12,530 (PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE FREIGHT PREP. TAX LICENCE "ON SALE NOW AT EASTERN ONTARIO'S #1 NISSAN DEALE VIIDWAY MOTORSLTD, 1300 Dundas St. E. RANGER SUPER CAB $13,248 MAZDA Whitby 668-6828 OUR VOLUME SELLING MEANS YOU SAVE! EXTRA CAB #13,218 together by a courageous young stage manager, Anna Kosurko. Anna's only experience as anS.M. was playing the part of the frustrated and bitchy Nick in "Jit- ters". Anna says she has only had to lapse into that role a few times with this case, for the most part they are a co-operative and cohesive group forging ahead towards their upcoming production. For tickets to see "The Passion of Dracula" on Feb. 24, 25, or Mar. 2, 3, or 4 at the Town Hall 1873, stop into The Cottage Rose at Just Around the Corner. The cost is $8.00 per person and the format is cabaret, so buy early to reserve the best tables. GEL: Customer rst