One organization invited to perform in Geva Theater Center's Nextstage for Geva's 2008 Rochester Theatrefest, a generous presentation of smaller local theater groups, was PUSH Physical Theater, which Geva's Artistic Director Mark Cuddy called a "treasure," labeling PUSH's performances "by far, the highlight of the entire Theatrefest season, so much so that I invited them back." They returned with the world premiere of their dracula, preceded by about 35 minutes of earlier short pieces displaying the troupe's signature dance-mime-improv works which demonstrate what an attractive, talented, disciplined and imaginative artistic entity they have become.
The Dracula is compelling and peculiar, but I think audiences had better know the story, because PUSH's storytelling is mostly mannered mime and striking effects, little of which seems to be an "adaptation" of Stoker's classic vampire story. Instead it is a moody series of dancelike, interpretive responses to "Dracula" as a subjective theme.
One confusing element is the central, dominating presence of playwright/actor Danny Hoskins, who is a larger, much more imposing figure, both physically and vocally, than Darren Stevenson's Dracula. In virtually every other treatment of the Dracula story which includes him, Renfield is a sneaky, tortured weakling slavishly devoted to Dracula and always trying to hide from or ingratiate himself with stronger men [read "any man in charge"]. Apparently in this version, Renfield destroys Dracula; but I don't know why.
