DRACULA

Jobsite Theater, resident theater company at the Straz Center in downtown Tampa and recipient of the 2022 Best of the Bay Award for Best Professional Theater Company, continues their 24th season with Steven Dietz’s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s DRACULA. The show runs Oct. 21 - Nov. 23 in the Straz Center’s Jaeb Theater.

 
Photo Credit: Jobsite; Ned Averill-Snell

This sensual, spectacular production features regional favorite Giles Davies as the caped Count. The cast includes Paul J. Potenza (Renfield), Katrina Stevenson (Van Helsing), Noa Friedman (Mina Murray), Kayla Witoshynsky (Lucy Westenra), Newt Rametta (Jonathan Harker), Daniel Lennox, Jr. (Dr. Seward), and the ensemble of Logan Franke, Pauline Lara, and Jared Sellick.

 
Photo Credit: Jobsite; Ned Averill-Snell

Dietz’s adaptation is a faithful one to the source material. He had misgivings about tackling this popular piece because, "I thought the book had been captured quite well in a number of other adaptations, but after re-reading the novel, I became very surprised at the extent to which so many theatre adaptations veered a great distance from the book … My friends kept asking what my `take' on the story was … what did Dracula `represent?' I was tempted to join in their esoteric aerobics, [but] I realized that to make Dracula a metaphor was cheating. It was akin to putting a muzzle on the most terrifying aspect of the story. You can hide from a metaphor. A metaphor doesn't wait outside your window under a full moon. A metaphor doesn't turn into a bat and land on your bed. Instead, I took Mr. Stoker at his word: the actual being is the most haunting. The question, then, is not what Dracula represents, but what he is: a brilliant, seductive, fanged beast waiting to suck the blood from your throat. Hide from that."

DRACULA is already Jobsite’s #2 best-selling show of all time, and this production is expected to shatter all records by our closing. The 2001 production of this same script held Jobsite’s #1 position for almost 15 years, clearly the Tampa Bay area loves Spooky Season as much as Jobsite! se for us and hope you enjoy! Also: give this DRACULA theme composed by Jeremy Douglass a listen, wowsers!

DRACULA is destined to once again be our best-selling show, poised to knock off our current #1 (A Midsummer Night's Dream) in a matter of days. DYK: DRACULA set a #1 record in 2001 for the Straz's Shimberg Playhouse (not just Jobsite) that stood for almost 15 years?

We had our first preview last night (10/19/22), and the audience was excited as we were for the experience. We're still tweaking the perfect bursts of fog, looking for the Goldilocks screams (juuuuust right), and how much blood is too much blood to quickly clean in advance of our opening on Friday (10/21/22).

Give this DRACULA theme composed by Jeremy Douglass a listen, wowsers!

Act fast since tickets are moving fast and prices increase based on demand.

Purchase Tickets Here: https://shop.strazcenter.org/Shop/

Location: Jaeb Theater, (Straz Center), 1010 N Macinnes Pl., Tampa, FL 33602 (Directions & Map)

More info on show visit: https://www.jobsitetheater.org/dracula/

David M. Jenkins – Director
Brian M. Smallheer – Technical Director
Nicole Jeannine Smith – Stage Manager

Cast
Giles Davies – Dracula
Logan Franke – Ensemble & Understudy
Noa Friedman – Mina
Pauline Lara – Ensemble & Understudy
Daniel Lennox, Jr. – Seward
Paul J. Potenza – Renfield
Newt Rametta – Harker
Jared Sellick – Ensemble & Understudy
Katrina Stevenson – Van Helsing
Kayla Witoshynsky – Lucy

Crew
Haley Agan – Technical Apprentice
Connor Averill-Snell – Technical Apprentice
Jo Averill-Snell – Lighting Designer
Teah Banks – Properties
Jeremy Douglass – Sound Designer
David M. Jenkins – Producing Artistic Director
Percy Hartley – Technical Apprentice
Jake Landherr – Technical Apprentice
Jena Rashid – Producing and Engagement Apprentice
Tea Roberts – Scenic Artist
Brian M. Smallheer – Scenic Designer
Katrina Stevenson – Costume Designer

While we’re talking about our favorite time of year, don’t forget that in March we bring William Goldman’s stage adaptation of Steven King’s MISERY. Goldman also adapted the book for the iconic film starring Kathy Bates and James Caan.

https://www.jobsitetheater.org/meet-the-team-misery