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LAUREL – In the classic “Dracula,” by Bram Stoker, “there is a reason why all things are as they are.”
And so it is with Laurel-Concord- Coleridge’s One-Act “A Totally ‘80s Dracula” - a twist on the classic novel and an original adaptation by LCC One-Act director, Sarah Beckwith, along with Erica Mogensen and Nicole Cross.
“It is a comedy about Dracula attempting to buy new land to expand and take over and find new people to feed on,” said Emma Sohler, a senior who is playing a character named Lucy and Dracula’s first victim in the play.
While attempting to sell Dracula a home, a slew of visitors interrupt negotiations, resulting in some wild antics, Beckwith said.
Carter Korth plays a character named Dick Simmons, a fitness instructor who loves passion, energy and yelling at students to have more passion and energy.
Jayden Campbell plays a living piece of artwork in Dracula’s house and sits in all seven scenes.
Lilly Pehrson plays a character named Dr. Jessica Seward who hosts a talk show that Dracula likes to watch.
In total, the play accommodates a large cast of 37 actors and a crew of 23.
Beckwith said rehearsals are going well so far and calls the group “dedicated.”
“They are a fun and dynamic group of kids with a lot of personality,” she said. “They keep us coaches on our toes.”
In his first year participating in One-Act, Korth finds the experience fun and full of laughter.
“I love going to practice and seeing all the funny stunts that we do and the funny things that we say,” Campbell agreed.
Sohler said working with Beckwith has been a highlight of her One-Act experience.
“She is so fun to work with and she makes acting different normal,” Sohler said. “She is super open-minded and accepting.”
Many of the actors and crew have a competitive streak, and would like to compete for a state championship again.
Last year’s rendition of “A Puckish Midsummer Night’s Dream,” another Beckwith original adaptation of the Shakespeare play, landed on the state stage. Ultimately, last year’s One-Act finished in third place.
Prior to 2023, LCC last took the state stage in 2014 where they came away with the runner-up trophy that year.
“I think some of the competitions will definitely be tough but I think we’ll be able to push through,” Pehrson said.
The show season kicks off with the home public performance set for 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 15, at the LCC legacy gym.
Next, the local thespians will head to conference competition Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Tilden Elkhorn Valley, with a performance at 1:15 p.m.
The Wakefield One-Act Festival Saturday, Nov. 23, will provide its last performance before CI-3 district competition at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 3, in Ponca.
Student actors hope the audience - and judges - likes the play’s interactive comedy.
“The pace of the play clips along pretty well,” Beckwith said. “There are some fun costumes and characters. We hope that the characterization carries the show.”
