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Columbia City Ballet’s ‘Dracula: Ballet with a Bite’ comes to CCU Oct. 21

October 18, 2022

Just in time for Halloween, the Columbia City Ballet presents “Dracula: Ballet with a Bite,” at Coastal Carolina University’s Wheelwright Auditorium on Friday, Oct. 21, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25, with CCU discounts available. With an original rock/jazz musical score by Thomas Semanski and original choreography by artistic director William Starrett, the 1991 production is based on Bram Stoker’s 1897 classic novel.

October is no stranger to things that go bump in the night. The horror genre has generated plenty of icons in its evolution, but few have made their way to the stage in the form of ballet. This production brings one of horror’s most iconic figures into the light in a combination of the beautiful and the deadly.

This full-length ballet combines original choreography and costumes with haunting visual and graphic special effects to produce a memorable dance event. Parental guidance is suggested.

Claire Rapp, Columbia City Ballet principal dancer, plays the role of Lucy Weston, a young girl lured into vampirism by the caped protagonist. Rapp said the production is virtually an annual tradition in many areas of the country.

“It’s a show that’s evolved over the course of 30 years,” said Rapp. “We considered other horror icons of the past, but there was something in the wickedness of Dracula.”

Rapp said the beauty of the show lies in its placement within both classic and contemporary styles.

“A name like Dracula draws people in,” said Rapp. “Some might be turned off by the idea of classical ballet, but this isn’t Swan Lake. It’s a very contemporary show, both in music and style. We’ve found that not only do audiences who otherwise wouldn’t see ballet give this show a chance, but they end up really liking it as well.”

For tickets, visit the Wheelwright Box Office at 108 Spadoni Circle, Conway, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday 8 p.m.; call 843-349-ARTS (2787); or visit tickets.coastal.edu. For more information, call 843-349-6474 or email eselby@coastal.edu.