A Bloody Good Night

Dracula wasn’t ready to return to his coffin after the curtain fell! On October 30, State Street Ballet unveiled its world premiere of Dracula, a dark shadow at the Granada Theatre, then spirited its creatures of the night across State Street for an after-party at the Community Environmental Council building.

The spine-tingling production paired Nicolas Blanc’s dramatic choreography with Philip Glass’s haunting score, performed live by the Grammy-winning Kronos Quartet. Tigran Sargsyan took the title role, with Maria Rita Rapisarda as Mina Murray and Saori Yamashita as Lucy Westenra. Victorian-inspired costumes by Ben-Oni Cortes added a fashionable flourish to the fright.

With Halloween just hours away, the timing couldn’t have been more deliciously macabre!

Once the curtain came down, the bloodletting gave way to lively conversation as dancers, donors, and devotees mingled in considerably less sinister surroundings. Executive Director Cecily MacDougall introduced Blanc to the celebratory crowd, giving guests an opportunity to meet the creative force behind the newly commissioned ballet, sponsored by Cheryl Goldberg.

Not to be outdone by the cast, Board President Dr. Nicole Callahan carried a striking Dior tote emblazoned with Bram Stoker’s Dracula – proof that even vampires appreciate haute couture!

The star of the party, however, may have been Sargsyan himself, who leaned in for a playful bite of Yamashita’s neck, a single red rose in her hand. Apparently, Lucy wasn’t quite finished with the Count either!

For one bewitching opening night, Santa Barbara’s cultural set had plenty to sink its teeth into.