Count Dracula, one of the most evil villains in literature, will stalk the stage at Playhouse Smithville in artistic director john daniels junior’s (sic) script loosely based on the 1931 film classic starring Bela Lugosi. Veteran stage actor and Smithville resident Danne Absher will portray the count in the production that will run Fridays and Saturdays beginning Oct. 29 through Saturday, Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Playhouse Smithville on Main Street.

Daniels said Absher, an accomplished actor in productions around the state, was one of the first people he contacted when he decided to open the Playhouse and he’s been a part of the theater’s vision from the beginning.

Daniels said the script is loosely based on the classic film but the vampire is Absher’s own creation.

“My wife April and son Matt had the pleasure of being in Chester Eitzes’ Bastrop Opera House production of Murder By Poe last year with Danne,” daniels said. “When I decided to do Dracula, I knew Danne was the count.”

Absher says he was stage-struck as a kid after he saw his first live production at the original Alley Theater in Houston. He nearly landed the lead in the elementary school Christmas play in sixth grade, but lost that to the PTA president’s son, which he attributes to politics. Absher minored in theater at Southwest Texas State University and spent 29 years teaching in the Houston School District, while also appearing at Town and Country Playhouse, Theater Southwest Main Street Theater and Playhouse 1960.

Absher moved to Smithville in 2007 and soon got involved in productions at the Bastrop Opera House, appearing in more than a dozen plays.

“I think most actors will agree that playing the bad guy is fun,” Absher said. “Last fall I played the murderous protagonist in Edgar Allen Poe’s The Black Cat in Murder by Poe and followed that up with the role as the despicable Mr. Potter in the radio play It’s A Wonderful Life.”

Absher said daniels has described his adaptation of the Count Dracula story as “a waltz through fire.”

“I’m enjoying portraying a character who is pure evil but charming and impeccably mannered,” Absher said. “Who knows, this role might lead to a career in politics.”

Absher will be joined by Playhouse Smithville’s other “children of the night,” Michael McGary, Athena Fuex, Matt Torrez, Jennifer Sitton, Charla May Cason, Megan Mossman, Belinda Parsons, Lisa Picciandra, Dalton Williams, Kay Higgins, Kayla Jo Williams and Linda Salerno.

“This is live theater with mystique, atmosphere and tension,” daniels said. “It also features a dead vampire in the 1930’s style.”

General admission for Dracula is $10. Limited seating is available at the playhouse so advance ticket purchases are encouraged. Visit www.playhousesmitville.com for tickets or call (512) 360-7397 for more information.

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