By Venus Zarris

First Folio Theatre opens its season, and a lovely new indoor performance space, with the Chicago premiere of The Passion of Dracula. The former sanctuary within Mayslake Hall makes for the perfect gothic setting of this Halloween treat.

Playwrights Bob Hall and David Richmond have fashioned a ‘Dracula light’ script that isn’t completely chilling but does offer an entertaining take on the blood sucking Count. Director Alison C. Vesely creates a solid production of this less-than-remarkable script. There is an attractive cinematic quality that carries us through the story, complete with lightning, thunder, a handsome set and a delightfully cheesy huge bat flying overhead.

What holds this production back from really reaching levels of spooktacularly biting brilliance is the clichéd script and the lack of passion from the Count. Ben Werling looks the part and delivers the signature Transylvanian dialect with appreciated restraint, but fails to frighten or fully engage us as the master of darkness. Selling such an iconic part requires a commanding presence that transcends costume, accent or fangs. We need to feel that something wicked this way comes. We need to believe that we are in the presence of an ancient and complex evil. Instead, Werling relies more on the moody effects rather than creating a truly nuanced and believable character. Sadly, doors mysteriously flying open and fog rolling in does not the Prince of Darkness make.

The rest of the cast does an admirable job with particularly fine performances delivered by Brian Simons as the insanely eccentric Renfiled and James Harm as the compelling and fully believable Professor Van Helsing.

Simons lights up the stage with every scene, adding clever and funny madness to the tortured, straightjacket wearing, insect eating lackey to the Count. Harms brings surprising depth and a subtly captivating presence to Van Helsing. His accent is spot on and his characterization adds sophistication to the overall production. Either of these roles could have easily been played with obvious technique, but Simons and Harms infuse the production with refreshing depth and Saren Nofs-Snyder is also intriguing as Dr. Helga Van Zandt.

The real highlight of the experience is the location. There is something magically delicious about traveling to a mansion set in the woods to experience the gothic classic. This may not be the most dazzling Dracula you will ever experience, but it provides a wonderfully atmospheric Halloween treat and a charmingly good time.

2 STARS

(”The Passion of Dracula” runs through November 2 at First Folio Theatre, 1717 W. 31st Street, (31st Street and Rt. 83) Oak Brook. 630-986-8067)

*** HALLOWEEN WITH THE COUNT! ***

Too old to trick-or-treat but still looking for some Halloween fun? First Folio Theatre offers special Halloween fundraising performances of The Passion of Dracula on October 30 & 31, including a post show cocktails and hors d’oeuvres reception with members of the cast. For details go to www.firstfolio.org.

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