Show j. j c The ze Vampire OR He Loved in Vein Angie Millgate Arts Editor l k r t is hard to know what to toY Y It expect from the Desert Star Playhouse on first sight but dont don't let that stop you Two hours of fun and laughs can be guaranteed at their performance performance performance mance of The Vampire OR He Loved in Vein From the moment the audience was seated at their tables tables the theater was filled with laughter To entertain entertain entertain enter enter- tain the patrons there was a show pre show show complete with a up stand-up sit-down sit rendition of My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean and a creative creative creative crea crea- tive request for a standing ovation before the satirical show began 11 The talented pianist played the entire score without music and he educated educated educated edu edu- the guests during the show pre show on appropriate appropriate appropriate ap ap- ap- ap sound effects such as booing and hissing at the villain or cheering for the heroes Renfield played by Troy Lunt was the most exhausting exhausting exhausting exhaust exhaust- ing and memorable performance performance performance mance of the evening As Renfield donned his bug ears for the number I I Love My Bugs the audience laughed troll ably Dan Larrinaga filled the therole therole therole role of Dracula on preview night and was very dramatic in his entrances Trying to appear frightening with one cocked eyebrow he brought laughter from the viewers with his eff effective facial ex ex- ex- ex Steve Sater performing Dr Jonathan Seward came across comically as the somewhat somewhat somewhat some- some what dimwit dimwitted ted uncourageous uncourageous uncourageous un- un courageous but well-intentioned well hero His counterpart Mina the over over- ly-dramatic ly damsel in distress distress distress dis dis- dis- dis tress was played by Christy with a humorous panache Dr with an outlandish moustache and strong accent was played by Gary He was witty as he exclaimed numerous times We will hunt down the creature UND destroy him Sharon Kennison in the therole therole therole role of Lucy convincingly remained straight-faced straight through her number Your Plasma Has That Vampire with the Count She effectively appeared to b be attached attached attached at at- to him by strings Ron Jewett in the role of Butterworth was engrossing as he attempted to keep track of poor Mr Renfield and all the others stricken with the Yam Vampires Vampire's pires pire's curse Janae Gibbs as Miss Wills sang about where the count could kiss her next Her voice carried well and she was al altogether altogether altogether al- al together comical as she danced sexily about the stage Everything about the show was entertaining including including in in- eluding when the pianist fouled up a song and when Steve Sater and Christy Sum- Sum danced chee cheek to to cheek and Christy ended ende l up wearing Steves Steve's sideburns Directed by Mary Williams and produced by Michael Todd the show will be running running running run run- ning until November 17 For information call The stars were hilarious and precise in their y 4 r 4 k 7 The Vampire OR He Loved In n Vein presented by Desert Star Playhouse is a melodramatic comedy about Count Dracula mances giving the feeling that they were there to entertain entertain entertain enter enter- tain not just perform The Vampire from reading the program up to the closing number is a sensational show for young young- and old alike J JJ s 1 u af 1 jJ J J t |