Dracula on Broadway
Indeed,Dracula was on Broadway. That was the way Bela Lugosi became so famous.It is very strange and very diffrent from the movie. Yet, it was interesting. I gave the script a read. Dracula isn't in it too much. Heres some pictures and the Script for each act.
Act 1-Prolouge
"MAGIC
WICKED NIGHT" (Company) - Lucy finds herself in a graveyard being attacked
by eerie shadows, the graveyard transitions to an engagement party for Mina
and Jonathan held in the ballroom at Hillingham- the luxurious estate of Miss
Lucy Westenra - Mina's best friend since childhood. Lucy wakes to find herself
in the arms of Dr Seward. (The graveyard apparently was just a horrible daydream.)
Beautifully attired dancing party guests provide a background to introduce
the principle characters. The wicked chant of the party guests foretells the
terrible and strange events to follow.
Scene 1 - Ballroom at Hillingham:
MAGIC WICKED NIGHT
COMPANY
Grand
Isn't it grand dancing to strains of fabulous strings
Silk sweeping silhouettes of crystalline candlelight
Fantastically elegant, bombastically delicate
How grand!
Isn't it grand chatting awash in words of the day
Deliciously clever wit in razor-sharp repartee
Phantasmic, narcotic
So savage, exotic
How grand
Dance, mask, breath, blood
What lies beneath such a lovely facade?
Such a magic, wicked night
Ravaging, with just a slight
Madness in the palest light
Savages, silhouettes, silver piercing eyes on fire
Ravishing, a wicked plight
Barest teeth and purest fright
Such a writhing, rushing sight
Tantalize, treacherous
Tasting all the flavors of night.
JACK
Why Miss Murray, I don't believe I've seen you giving
lessons in grammar wearing that particular ensemble.
MINA
Oh Jack, I love the chance to play the peacock for an evening. Lucy insists that
a school mistress indulge in the splendor of society at least once before becoming
a solicitors wife. Did you know Lucy had this gown sent all the way from Paris?
JACK
Very fancy. Very ostentatious. Unlike your fiance.
Jonathan seems to have chosen a less elegant fowl.
MINA
Stop analyzing, doctor! Come, dance with me.
MINA
Fine, isn't it fine
Watching the world whirl round to the waltz
Strangers from foreign lands of intrigue and secret plans
Exciting, enticing, paying what price in the game?
COMPANY
Dance, mask, breath, blood
What lies beneath such a lovely facade?
[Mina and Jack have parted as they dance. Mina is alone; Jonathan makes his
way to her]
MINA
Here's to the happy couple. What were their names?
JONATHAN
You look lovely. I suppose it would be inappropriate for me to ask you to marry me.
MINA
Well, you could always ask.
JONATHAN
Would you marry me, Mina?
MINA
You know I would, if it weren't for the fact that my friends have spent so much on
this wonderful engagement party, and that my fiancee would probably kill you.
JONATHAN
One wouldn't want to cross him. He's quite dangerous, I'm sure, as
men of passion always are. And he must love you very much.
[They kiss, then start to dance.]
COMPANY (women)
Sweet, isn't it sweet
Caught up in love's enchanted embrace
The vision of paradise, white lace and wedding rice
Purest intentions,
MEN
domestic conventions,
ALL
how sweet!
[Mina is back with Jack].
MINA
Lucy is acting strangely. Have you determined the cause -
JACK
I shouldn't be discussing it.
MINA
You know I deeply I care for Lucy. I feel so helpless, watching her weaken day to day.
JACK
Mina, I know you are concerned, as are we all. We shall find a cure for this, whatever it is, I promise you. For now, put it out of your mind. This is after all, your engagement party.
[Lightning flashes, Jack dances with Mina].
COMPANY
Dance, mask, breath, blood
Dance, mask, breath, blood
Dance, mask, breath, blood
What lies beneath such a lovely facade
[Mina finds herself alone. Jonathan approaches her].
JONATHAN
Thank God I've found you, you've rescued me.
MINA
From What?
JONATHAN
From Whom. Those society people. I never know what to say to them.
MINA
I find them terribly interesting.
JONATHAN
Oh, I suppose, if you enjoy hearing about caviar from St. Petersburg ,
diamonds from the African mines or elephant hunting in India.
MINA (intercut with Jonathan)
Caviar? Diamonds? India?
JONATHAN
Well, darling, I love you, but I am not leaving England again.
COMPANY
Dance, mask, breath, blood
What lies beneath such a lovely facade
Such a magic, wicked night
Ravaging, with just a slight
Madness in the palest light
Savages, silhouettes, silver piercing eyes on fire
Ravishing, a wicked plight
Such a writhing, rushing sight
Tantalize, treacherous
Tasting all the flavors of night.
[Lucy is working her way toward Mina and Jonathan]
MINA
Lucy! Thank you so much for this wonderful party
and this exquisite gown. How are you feeling?
LUCY
Flawless! I'm so glad I could do it for you. And of course, we're
all so glad to have Jonathan back from abroad.
JONATHAN
Yes, well, the youngest partner in a real estate office often draws the undesirable
assignments. But I can assure you I'd rather lose my job than service another
client so strange as the new owner of Carfax Abbey. That old man was truly
insane. God only knows why, at his age, he wanted to come and live in England.
LUCY
The gentleman purchased Carfax, then? You must be a better solicitor than I thought.
[LUCY is almost face to face with Jonathan, teasing him, about to kiss him].
MINA
Lucy!
LUCY
It seems everyone is here. And I declare this party a tremendous success!
[Lucy grabs a frightened Mina a wildly swings her around in a circle].
COMPANY
Dance, mask, breath, blood
Dance, mask, breath, blood
Dance, mask, breath, blood
MINA
Lucy, what is it? What's wrong?
LUCY
You're so dramatic. Did it ever occur to you that I might simply be
weary from planning such an elaborate party? At any rate,
congratulations. I trust you and Jonathan will be quite ecstatic.
MINA
You shall soon be having an engagement party of your own, I'm sure.
LUCY
(she laughs sarcastically)
COMPANY
Dance mask, breath blood
What lies beneath such a lovely facade
Such a magic, wicked night
Ravaging, with just a slight
Madness in the palest light
Savages, silhouettes, silver piercing eyes on fire
Ravishing, a wicked plight
Barest teeth and purest fright
Such a writhing, rushing sight Soprano's
Tantalize, treacherous Savages, silhouettes
Tasting all the flavors of night. Tantalize, treacherous
What lies beneath such a lovely facade Ravaging Wicked Night
Such a magic, wicked night
Such a magic, wicked night
Such a magic, wicked night
[This final chorus segues into Dracula's theme music. Lucy stumbles
- this all happens simultaneously. Mina clutches Lucy's arm]