Mount Carmel School’s Theatre Club presents Dracula

Zeno Deleon Guerrero, center, will play the lead title character in Mount Carmel School Theatre Club’s production of Dracula. The show is directed by Brianna Hunter, left, and also stars Monica Usi, right, as Lucy Seward, the love interest of Dracula. (Contributed Photo)

Next weekend and just in time for Halloween, Mount Carmel School’s Theatre Club is gearing up for its last production, Dracula, by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderstonf from Bram Stoker’s novel. The play is being directed by club veteran and senior Brianna Hunter and stars Zeno Deleon Guerrero, another club veteran and senior, as the title character.

Hunter has established herself as one of the leading actresses at the school, having played lead roles in last December’s White Christmas and in 2014’s The Little Mermaid. This production, however, will be her first time offstage as the director.

“As an actor, you’re always the one taking direction from the director and their vision about how to tell the story. I finally wanted to be in that position, to see my vision and my story, come to life,” she said.  

Asked about what her vision is, Hunter said, “My vision is how Dracula is about who people become as they endure a horrific process. Likewise, I want the audience to reflect on how they develop when they face similar situations.”

Like Hunter, Deleon Guerrero has been active in the Theatre Club for many years, but unlike Hunter, he has mostly stayed backstage as the floor manager for numerous productions.  Dracula marks his return to the stage as an actor, something he is very excited about. When asked about why he agreed to get back on stage, he said, “It’s my senior year, and I didn’t want to regret not taking up this opportunity.”  

Regarding playing such an iconic role, he said, “It’s a lot of pressure, especially since my personality is such a polar opposite to Dracula’s character. But it’s been fun to tap into my dark side to play this role.”

The production also features Monica Usi as Lucy Seward, Dracula’s love interest, Jose Castro as John Harker, Lucy’s fiancé, and Michael Ortizo as the iconic nemesis of Dracula, Professor Van Helsing. Also featured in the production are Jeff Melchor as Doctor Seward, the father of Lucy, Kelvin Cepeda as Renfield, Jonelle Toskas as Mrs. Wells, and William Minami as Butterworth.

Dracula will be performed on Friday, Oct. 21, and Saturday, Oct. 22, at Charley’s Cabaret at Pacific Island’s Club. Doors open at 6:30pmand tickets are $15 for premium front row seating and $5 for general admission. Tickets are available at the Mount Carmel School Business Office. Due to limited seating, advance purchase of tickets is recommended. Due to mature content, adult discretion is advised. For more information, call 234-6184 or visit mountcarmelsaipan.com. Dracula is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. (MCS)