‘Le Ballet de Dracula’ offers thrills, chills, chance to dance and don costumes

LakeCities Ballet Theatre will present its 6th annual performance of “Le Ballet de Dracula” with three shows on Oct. 14-15 at the Medical Center of Lewisville Grand Theater.

This original ballet, written by Tom Rutherford and beautifully choreographed by LakeCities Ballet Artistic Director Kelly Lannin, is fast becoming a seasonal classic for North Texas. This year’s cast features LakeCities Ballet Theatre senior member Sarah Johnson as Aurelia, Ruben Gerding, as Marius, and Shannon Beacham in his first appearance as Dracula.

Performance dates are Saturday, Oct. 14, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 15, at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Audience members are encouraged to dress in Halloween costumes and participate in a contest to be held at intermission of each show.

Tickets are $15 per person. Advance tickets can be purchased at lakecitiesballet.org or by calling 972.966.8006.

A pre-performance workshop will be held prior to the Sunday evening performance, starting at 5 p.m., giving guests middle school ages and older the chance to wear stage makeup and dance with Dracula’s Brides. The workshop is free with the purchase of a performance ticket.

The character of Count Dracula first was brought to readers by Irish novelist Bram Stoker in a work originally titled “The Un-Dead.” The menacing vampire villain has captivated the imagination of people worldwide for decades and commands the stage in this mesmerizing ballet performance.

“Le Ballet de Dracula” first was presented six years ago in the former Temple Baptist Church building, which was located on the spot where the MCL Grand was built last year.  The production moved to Lake Dallas High School when the previous building was torn down, but will make a triumphant return to Old Town Lewisville this year.

Medical Center of Lewisville Grand Theater, located at 100 N. Charles Street between Main and Church streets, opened its doors in January. The 40,000-square-foot facility features a 296-seat proscenium theater, black box theater, dance recital hall, art gallery, five art classrooms and a large courtyard. Medical Center of Lewisville reached a multi-year agreement with the city last year for naming rights at the center.

To reach the MCL Grand from Interstate 35E, take exit 452 and proceed east on Main Street to Charles Street. The MCL Grand will be on the left. Free public parking is available along Main and Church streets, or at Lewisville City Hall across Church Street from the center. Parking is not permitted on the grass lot across Church Street from MCL Grand.

For details about upcoming events, or rental information for the facility, visit mclgrand.com or call 972-219-8446.

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