Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors

Jonathan Harker gets more than he bargained for with his mysterious pretty-boy client. Dracula is single and his first choice for love – She’s just his type. – is Lucy, Jonathan’s fiancé. It’s time to break out the garlic wreaths, holy water, and crucifixes for this hilarious, slapstick comedy loosely based on the novel by Bram Stoker.

The Playhouse has several community partnerships connected to this show.

  • Saturday, Oct. 19, performance is One Iowa night. Each guest will receive a Dracula sticker. The Side Garage will print and selltee shirts on site*. Click here to learn more about One Iowa.
  • LifeServe is giving individuals who make a blood donation at any of their locations or mobile drives in October a voucher good for a complimentary ticket to Dracula with the purchase of a ticket. Click here to make an appointment to donate blood.
  • Throughout the run, guests are encouraged to have dinner at Exile Brewing Company in The Haunting, in their Halloween-themed room, complete with special drinks, food, and décor. Click here to make reservations.

A preshow talk is offered in the West Lobby 30 minutes prior to curtain.

*Wanted to get a shirt but weren’t able to make it Saturday, Oct. 19? Good news – you can now purchase shirts online until Nov. 3! Purchase shirts at: https://www.ignition.ink/the-playhouse $10 from each shirt comes back to The Playhouse!

Due to construction, parking in the east parking lot is limited. Valet parking is offered with a $5 discount for purchasing in advance.

Season tickets now on sale.

Thanks to our sponsors, we have a limited number of tickets available for $10 for the Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, preview. These tickets are on sale online at 10:00 AM, Thursday, Oct. 17.

If ticket prices are keeping you away from this show, please call the ticket office at 515.277.6261, Noon-5:00 PM, Tuesday-Friday. We have supporters who want to make sure everyone gets a chance to see this production.

Performance Times:
7:30 PM Wednesdays through Saturdays & 2:00 PM Sundays
Theatre:
Signature Series in the John Viars Theatre
Run Time:
90 minutes, performed without intermission
Content Advisory:
The Playhouse does not rate subject matter as sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have questions about content, age appropriateness, or other aspects of the show (ie strobe lights and other theatrical effects), please contact the ticket office at 515.277.6261.
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In the News

Interview with Will C Johnson and David A VanCleave, Hello Iowa, WHO-TV13, Oct. 16, 2024

Company

  • Dr Westfeldt / Renfield / Captain

    Katie Hughes

    Dr Westfeldt / Renfield / Captain
  • Harker / Suitors / Bosun / Gravedigger

    Will C Johnson

    Harker / Suitors / Bosun / Gravedigger
  • Lucy / Kitty / Driver

    Paden Sheumaker

    Lucy / Kitty / Driver
  • Dracula

    Collin Smith

    Dracula
  • Mina / Dr Van Helsing

    Zachary Dean Smith

    Mina / Dr Van Helsing
  • Director

    David A VanCleave

    Director
  • Set Designer

    Benjamin Kramer

    Set Designer
  • Costume Designer

    Jessica Van Essen

    Costume Designer
  • Lighting Designer

    Amanda Pichler

    Lighting Designer
  • Sound Designer

    Freddie Masteller

    Sound Designer
  • Properties Designer

    Sarah Beth (Bee) Weinberg

    Properties Designer
  • Stage Manager

    Maren Grant

    Stage Manager
  • Intimacy Director

    Lyndsy Darland

    Intimacy Director
  • Assistant Stage Manager

    Jeanella McKinney

    Assistant Stage Manager
  • Artistic Director

    Katy Merriman

    Artistic Director

Photos/Video

  • Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors features (left to right) Zachary Dean Smith, Will C Johnson, Collin Smith, Paden Sheumaker, and Katie Hughes. Performances are Oct. 18-Nov. 3, 2024, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors features (left to right) Katie Hughes, Zachary Dean Smith, Collin Smith, Paden Sheumaker, and Will C Johnson. Performances are Oct. 18-Nov. 3, 2024, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • Collin Smith is Dracula in Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, Oct. 18-Nov. 3, 2024, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • Paden Sheumaker is Lucy and Collin Smith is Dracula in Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, Oct. 18-Nov. 3, 2024, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • Will C Johnson is Jonathan harker and others in Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, Oct. 18-Nov. 3, 2024, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • Katie Hughes is Dr Westfeldt and others in Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, Oct. 18-Nov. 3, 2024, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • Zachary Dean Smith is Mina and others in Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, Oct. 18-Nov. 3, 2024, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • Paden Sheumaker is Lucy and others in Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, Oct. 18-Nov. 3, 2024, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • Collin Smith is Dracula in Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, Oct. 18-Nov. 3, 2024, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

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  • Collin Smith is Dracula in Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, Oct. 18-Nov. 3, 2024, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

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  • Collin Smith is Dracula in Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, Oct. 18-Nov. 3, 2024, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

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Press Release

Des Moines Playhouse
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kill Date: Oct. 27, 2024
Subject: Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors
Photos available for download at https://www.dmplayhouse.com/events/dracula/
Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Marketing & Public Relations Director, 515-974-5358 

The Des Moines Playhouse presents Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, Oct. 18-Nov. 3, 2024. Tickets are available online at dmplayhouse.com and by phone at 515.277.6261. Valet parking by Keck Parking is available with discounts for pre-purchasing. A note for audiences and in-person ticket buyers: Due to construction, entry will be at the west/42nd Street doors only.

Jonathan Harker gets more than he bargained for with his mysterious pretty-boy client. Dracula is single and his first choice for love – she's just his “type” – is Lucy, Jonathan's fiancé. It’s time to break out the garlic wreaths, holy water, and crucifixes for this hilarious, slapstick comedy loosely based on the novel by Bram Stoker.

The Playhouse cast includes Katie Hughes, Will C. Johnson, Paden Sheumaker, Collin Smith, and Zachary Dean Smith. Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors is directed by David A. VanCleave with scenic design by Benjamin Kramer, costume design by Jessica Van Essen, and lighting design by Amanda Pichler.

The Playhouse has several community partnerships connected to this show.

  • The Saturday, Oct. 19, performance is One Iowa Pride Night. Each guest will receive a Dracula sticker. The Side Garage will print and sell one-night-only tee shirts on site.
  • LifeServe is giving individuals who make a blood donation at any of their locations or mobile drives in October a voucher good for a complimentary ticket to Dracula with the purchase of a ticket.
  • Throughout the run, guests are encouraged to have dinner at Exile Brewing Company in The Haunting, their Halloween themed room, complete with special drinks, food, and décor.

The Playhouse mission, as one of Iowa's largest and oldest producing theatres, is to create extraordinary, shared experiences through live theatre. Located at the 42nd Street exit off I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage. 

Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors
Performances: Oct. 18-Nov. 3, 2024
7:30 PM Wednesdays-Saturdays
2:00 PM Sundays 

The IRIS Sensation Team will provide audio description for the 2:00 PM, Sunday, Oct. 27, performance. The Playhouse can provide for those who have the need for ASL translations with advanced notice. These services are free and reasonable accommodations will be made. Requests should be made through The Playhouse ticket office.

Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors.
Tickets start at $29.00
To purchase: Dmplayhouse.com, 515.277.6261, or Des Moines Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50312
Ticket office hours: Noon-5:00 PM, Tuesdays-Fridays, and 90 minutes prior curtain on show days.

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Show Credits

By Gordon Greenberg & Steve Rosen • Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals • www.concordtheatricals.com