by Joan Martin
Photos by Gregg Martin

The Upper School production of Dracula on January 27 and 28 was a tour de force in acting, staging, and direction. Sixteen students took to the stage to bring the Gothic horror story to life, and many more worked behind the scenes in lighting, set design, and technical production to set just the right atmosphere for this classic story of desire, love, and good versus evil.

Junior Alex Doyle played the title role of Dracula to perfection. He commanded the stage with his stature and bearing and played his part with a combination of subtlety and savoir-faire. The counterpoint to the Transylvanian count was Dr. Van Helsing, portrayed with depth and strength by sophomore Eli Sidman. Matthew Gentile, also a sophomore, was a tender and sincere suitor to the beautiful but tormented Lucy, well played by junior Naomi Edmondson. Seniors Kevin Hendricks and Leah Thompson, along with juniors Nishanthy Anthonypillai, Will Tesdell, and Alex Lowchy, sustained their characters with their wit, purpose, and commitment throughout the course of the play.

In addition to Eli and Matthew, there were other sophomore stand-outs in the production. Sam Caravaglia gave a memorable, emotional performance as a distraught and demented sanitarium patient, while Laurice Fox, Kat Kennedy, and Trish O’Meara portrayed sturdy, dependable nurses in the same setting. Filling out the cast were the three vampire brides, played with appropriate “vamping” by senior Amanda Chapin and sophomores Jazmyne Owens and Kimmy Tronolone.

With a sold-out performance on Friday evening and an almost full house the following night, the 2006 Upper School play underscored the universal appeal of a good story, strong characters, and talented actors and artists. Dracula is sure to be remembered in our community as one of the best in a long line of great theater at BFS.

Dracula was directed by Rosey Hay and Rudy Caparosa. Catherine Clark was set and costume designer, Peter Hoerburger '94 was lighting designer, and Gwen Fyfe '07 was the stage manager.