Fang Territory

Prior to heading out for the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis’ production of the ultimate screamer, Dracula, we recommend eating a garlicky meal. Or at the very least, keeping a crucifix handy. Stephen Hollis directs this classic adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel -- this version is the one in which Bela Lugosi’s Dracula made 1920s audiences faint in the aisles. The show isn’t to the letter of the book and some characters are conflated or missing (never fear: Bug-eating Renfield and Yoda-voiced Van Helsing are still there), yet with Kurt Rhoads as the Count and Julia Coffey as Lucy, the Rep’s Dracula should bring back all of the melodrama, suspense and caped cavorting that were proper to vampirism before Buffy. Climb out of your coffin and down the castle walls to the Loretto-Hilton Center (130 Edgar Road, Webster Groves; 314-968-4925 or www.repstl.org) for the 8 p.m. preview on Thursday, October 11. The play officially opens Friday, October 12, and runs through Sunday, November 4 (times vary). Tickets are $14 to $63; bring your own blood.
Tuesdays-Sundays. Starts: Oct. 11. Continues through Nov. 4, 2007