Count Dracula and Me

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It is spooky season, and October is the month for scary stories. This is all about Count Dracula and when I met him on Broadway. In 1977, while at university, my English professor asked us to write a review about a play. Any play at all. It had to be current, and it had to be on Broadway. Well, during that time, one of my favorite actors was darkly handsome Frank Langella. Say no more; I knew he was on Broadway, and I was delighted. The play was "Dracula." So I told my professor that it would be the play I would review. Now if you are going to review a play, you certainly want to see everything and hear every word. So I got my ticket right up front and center. I decided to go alone because I had to concentrate on my review notes and, of course, gaze at Langella. I bravely entered the Martin Beck Theater and took my seat. Then the nightmare began. Right past where I was sitting, rats and mice ran since they lived in Castle Dracula. I felt every sweep of wind when Dracula swept about in his cape. The howls of the creatures of the night were very realistic, and the theater was hushed and very dark. Suddenly I wished I’d chosen a lively musical. Then it happened. Langella made a sweeping gesture with his hand and spun about. He came directly face-to-face with me, and suddenly it felt like I was really looking into the eyes of Dracula. Actors are known to make every moment their own, and he bowed and gave me a smile, fangs and all. I had met the Count himself, and that was enough for me. However, my review was a sensation. How many Dracula fans are out there? How many horror movie fans?