Pioneer Playhouse of Danville will open for its 73rd season under the stars on June 10 with Dracula Bites, a zany take on Bram Stoker’s Dracula that’s fun for the whole family.
“Clue was such a huge hit for us last year, we wanted to find something that had that same kind of appeal,” says artistic director Robby Henson, son of founder Eben C. Henson. “We actually did Dracula Bites ten years ago and audiences loved it. So, we decided to bring it back.”
Dracula Bites, opening June 10 and running through July 2, was written by Duke Ernsberger, co-author of such past hits at Pioneer Playhouse as Don’t Cry for Me, Margaret Mitchell, Elvis has Left the Building, and A Visit from Scarface.
“We’ve always had great success with an Ernsberger play,” says Heather Henson, managing director of Kentucky’s oldest outdoor theatre, and sister to Robby. “Dracula Bites is about a small-town community theatre trying to put on a very serious version of the iconic story of Dracula and failing miserably – and hilariously.”
“The actors are having a lot of fun with this show,” Robby says. “It’s a really talented group.”
“Our regular patrons will recognize some familiar faces from past seasons, but there are also some newbies,” Heather adds. “The actors keep cracking each other up in rehearsals. And I don’t want to give too much away, but there’s a zip line involved. I think you’ll just have to see it to believe it.”
Dracula Bites will run for three weeks, followed by the comedies Southern Fried Nuptials and Cockeyed.
“We like the three-play format, and we’ve added a couple of music weekends,” says Robby Henson. “We’ll have Elvis back in the building for two nights in August, and then local favorite, Powerplay, and a Latin band from Lexington called No Rulez Banda.”
“There’s something for everyone this year,” adds Heather.
A homecooked BBQ dinner is available before the shows, which run nightly, Tuesdays through Saturdays, June 10 through August 6. A bar serving wine and beer is open to those 21 years and older.
Pioneer Playhouse is located at 840 Stanford Road in Danville. Dinner and Show is $36 per person, while the show only is $20. Tickets can be purchased online at www.pioneerplayhouse.com or by calling the box office at 859-236-2747. Plays are performed outdoors; rainchecks will be given for cancelation due to severe weather.