Spooktacular event to feature Italian meal, Dracula play
From left, Tim Walker, Brandon Walker, and Jason Tipsword of the Driftless Theatre Company rehearse for the Oct. 27 presentation of Dracula! The Radio Play to be held at Lakeside Ballroom in Guttenberg. (Photo submitted)
Submitted by Julie Davis
he harvest is finally underway, trees are showing their fall colors and pumpkins decorate front porches declaring fall has arrived!
Halloween is just a week away but before you take the kids out in their costumes to trick or treat, there is another great family outing opportunity. The Umbrella Arts Fall Chill Spooktacular event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 27, at Lakeside Ballroom in Guttenberg.
This event includes a catered Italian buffet by Lakeside Ballroom featuring chicken Alfredo, chicken parmesan, and meatballs in pasta sauce over noodles. In addition to these mouth-watering items, lettuce salad and garlic toast, along with chicken wings and desserts are included.
Not only is a wonderful meal planned, but a holiday show will be performed by the Driftless Theatre Company. Dracula! The Radio Play by Phillip Grecian showcases the classic story of Dracula by Bram Stoker, but is formatted as a 1940’s era radio-drama performed in front of a live audience.
Relive the memories of sitting by your radio listening to classics like Red Skelton or The Shadow and add the fun of watching Foley artists as they create the sounds that help tell the story.
See how they make the wind sing and the thunder roll across the sky with running footsteps, all going at the same moment. As in the Golden Age of radio, there will be advertising commercial “sponsors” whose advertisements will feature the talents of Driftless Theatre cast members.
This is the first performance of the Driftless Theatre Company. Led by Jason Tipsword, University of Iowa Adjunct Professor, the cast is comprised of actors from not only the Guttenberg area but also from the Volga and Garnavillo areas.
Younger actors from the Clayton Ridge school district showcase the family atmosphere of the evening. You’ll notice familiar names in the list of cast members as several families have multiple family members involved in the production!
Tickets for this event may be purchased at the door or purchased in advance for a discounted price. Advance tickets may be purchased at the Chamber/Welcome Center, The Guttenberg Motel or from any Umbrella Arts members. Advance adult tickets are $15 and children 11 and under advance tickets are $8.
The Lakeside doors will open at 4:30 p.m. The dinner buffet will begin at 5 p.m. followed by Dracula! at 6 p.m.
If you aren’t able to purchase tickets in advance, tickets will be available the night of the event. Please note advance ticket purchases feature a discounted price. Tickets at the door will be $18 for adults and $10 for children 11 and under. Call Karen Riser (563-880-7140) or Lori Wallace (319-551-6171) for more information.
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Cast Members
Dr. Abraham Van Helsing – Lee Lenth
Dr. Jack Seward – Tim Walker
Birdie – Shirley Edwards
Williams – Charlotte Scherer
Jonathan Harker – Brandon Walker
Mina Harker – Avonique Tipsword
R.M. Renfield – Henry Scherer
Lucy Westenra – Nicole Bebber
Count Dracula – Frank Davis
Announcer – Jason Tipsword
PA Voice/Woman’s Voice – Ellie Davis
Child’s Voice: Nathaniel Edwards
KDTC Singers – Ellie Davis, Avonique Tipsword, Nicole Bebber and Nathaniel Edwards
Electrical, Light, Sound and Foley Supervisors – Peter and Cathy Sanford
Lighting Assistant – Ann Scherer
Foley Assistants – Kirissa Kephart, Chelsea Bebber, Ellie Davis, Julie Davis
