The theater season in Omaha has begun, with many local playhouses presenting their first shows for 2024-2025 in the last month or so. Bluebarn is no exception—they kicked off their “Season of Purpose” on Oct. 3.
This season allows each person to experience purpose in theater in their own way, according to producing artistic director Susan Clement. “I came up with the word and the theme ‘purpose’ as I walked down the hall of the Bluebarn thinking about what live theatre and other art forms bring to individuals and our community. What is our purpose? Communal experience=purpose.”
She went on to explain, “When reading about how art influences lives and enhances our connection with each other more than we could ever have imagined, purpose rang out to be the true guiding force for our season both from the artist’s perspective and the audience’s experience.”
Opening the season was a show with a bloody-fun purpose: “Dracula: The Journal of Jonathan Harker.” This one-man performance is directed by Jill Anderson and is acted by Aaron Zavitz. Anderson and Jess Wohlman provided sound for the show.
Those who have only seen Dracula in theatrical or film forms may not know that the book is written as an epistolary—a novel of letters and journal entries written to and from the various characters. This show takes the character of Jonathan Harker and tells the story through him.
Although it is a one-man performance, Zavitz portrays characters ranging from the titular Harker, an English solicitor who travels to Transylvania on business; to his fiancee Mina Murray; to Professor Abraham Van Helsing; and the vampire himself.
“I loved the play ‘Dracula: The Journal of Jonathan Harker,’” said Dacre Stoker, who was in attendance that night. Read more about Stoker, the great-grandnephew of Dracula author Bram Stoker, here. “I thought the actor Aaron Zavitz did an incredible job portraying all the different characters, his talent and athleticism allowed him to deliver his lines in the many different locations on set in a very convincing manner. The lighting and sound effects were spot-on, and created the impression that the audience was enjoying a multi actor performance with numerous set changes.”
The scenery and costuming also enhanced the gothic atmosphere, with rich fabrics and lots of dark colors from blood-red to black to midnight blue.
“Dracula: The Journal of Jonathan Harker” is playing now through Oct. 27, 2024, at Bluebarn Theater. There are a variety of special engagements happening in conjunction with the show, such as an art exhibit or lectures. Tickets are $42 for general admission or $38 for those in the military, or who work in the education or health care professions.