Prequel to Dracula Story to Be Staged at Notre Dame de Namur University
Original play by NDNU faculty member runs from April 12 to 15
For Immediate Release (April 10, 2018)
Belmont, Calif.— An original play about the early life of one of the principal characters in Bram Stoker’s classic novel Dracula will be performed April 12–15 at the Notre Dame de Namur University Theatre in Belmont. The play explores the mystery of how the enigmatic character of Renfield loses his humanity to serve the vampire, Count Dracula.
Admission is free for all performances. Performance are on April 12, 13, 14 at 7:30 p.m.; and April 14 and 15 at 2:00 p.m. A reception, to which all audience members are invited, will take place immediately after the April 13 performance. The NDNU Theatre is located at 1500 Ralston Avenue, Belmont, California.
The Unfortunate Case of Mr. Renfield is written and designed by NDNU Professor of Theatre R Dutch Fritz. “I was extremely curious about the story of Renfield, who is not the focus of the original novel, but he became the inspiration for my full-length play,” said Professor Fritz. For the Renfield production, Professor Fritz serves as artistic director, scenic and costume designer, and artist. “I wanted to write a story about this person who represents the many people we think we know, but in reality, we know almost nothing about. Renfield spoke to me. I was convinced his story needed to be told.”
Karen Byrnes, an NDNU alum and director of more than 100 productions in the Bay Area, directed Renfield. William Springhorn designed the lighting and choreographed the fight scenes. Marissa Jacobo is the stage manager and sound designer.
The cast, including current and former NDNU theatre students and Bay Area guest artists, will feature Treci Fields, Kyle Goldman, Emily Krayn, Brian Lindawson, Lilian Mangrobang, George Metropulos, Richard Newton, Tatiana Ochoa, Andrea Rosewicz, and Johnny Villar.
ABOUT NDNU
Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU) is a Catholic, not-for-profit, coeducational institution serving approximately 1,600 students from diverse backgrounds. Established in 1851 by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, NDNU is the third-oldest college in California and the first authorized to grant the baccalaureate degree to women. NDNU maintains a strong commitment to academic excellence, social justice, and community engagement. The university is fully accredited and offers a rich variety of undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and teacher credential programs. The historic campus is located on the San Francisco Peninsula in Silicon Valley. For more information, visit www.ndnu.edu.