Mercy Academy Theatre Program presents ‘Dracula: The Bloody Truth’

Oct 15 2025

Mercy Academy’s Theatre Program will bring a fresh, funny twist to a Gothic classic this month with its production of “Dracula: The Bloody Truth.” Performances will take place Oct. 23 through 26 at the Mary Mershon Reisert Theater on Mercy’s campus.

Written by John Nicholson, the play turns Bram Stoker’s legendary tale on its head. Audiences follow Professor Van Helsing and her troupe of amateur actors as they attempt to set the record straight on Dracula once and for all by staging a play. Their journey takes them from the dark and sinister Transylvanian mountains to the charming seaside town of Whitby, blending slapstick comedy with gothic thrills. The result is a delightfully silly, fast-paced production offering abundant chills and laughs for any audience to sink their teeth into.

Auditions for the show took place on Aug. 18 and rehearsals began on Aug. 25. Jason Cooper, Performing Arts Director at Mercy Academy, said carefully mixing the show’s blend of comedy and horror has been a balancing act.

“It's a fine line; the practical effects and the aesthetic and tone of the show are those of a thriller but the action is slapstick comedy,” he said. “For this type of comedy to work, you have to play it very seriously.”

This sense of precision extends to the physical choreography. Cooper said the demands of staging the farcical elements of the show are comparable to a musical. But with a theatre program that is heavily supported by Mercy faculty and staff, he said students have not only embraced the challenge but have thrived in rehearsals.

“Tiny little details matter,” he said. “The students have really taken to it.”

While sharpening their craft, Cooper hopes the cast also discovers the joy of making an audience laugh.

“I hope they laugh their heads off,” he said of the audience. “I also hope they are impressed by our program and the talent and hard work of our students.”

Performances are set to take place Thursday, Oct. 23 to Saturday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22 for the general public, $15 for alumna, and $12 for students and seniors. To purchase tickets, click here.

To learn more about Mercy Academy’s Theatre Program, click here.

“Dracula: The Bloody Truth” Cast: