GCT is thrilled to start its Actor Interview series back up for DRACULA: Comedy of Terrors. Our first Actor Interview comes from Jessica Stanley, who is in her second show with GCT, returning to us after The Addams Family Musical. Jessica brings classical humor to the front with her portrayal of Jean Van Helsing. She also has a KILLER German accent.

What sort of person is going to love this show?

Anybody that loves comedy, particularly physical comedy, wordplay, and pop culture jokes will enjoy this show. I think fans of Dracula and/or Dracula adaptations will really enjoy it, too. The show is quite different than a lot of other versions, but there are clever thematic and structural touches that should feel very familiar.

Why did you want to be involved in this production?

I’ve always loved the kind of humor in movies like Young Frankenstein or Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and this production draws a lot of inspiration from sources like those. A chance to be a part of that kind of show was too good to pass up..

How is this production bringing something new to this story?

The original novel dealt with anxieties that many Victorian readers would have found familiar—concerns over changing gender roles, fear of outsiders, anxiety about disease, etc. This production addresses a lot of the same fears, but the show’s over-the-top humor allows for a different way of reflecting on them.

How is this character like you? How is this character different from you?

We’re both academics who are deeply curious about the world around us. This particular version of Van Helsing is used to not being taken seriously by others, and I can also relate to some of the frustration she feels at having to justify or prove herself due to factors like gender or age. I only wish that I had her level of confidence and assertiveness.

What do you love about your character?

I love that Van Helsing strikes a balance between being kind and being strong. She will do anything to help the people who need her, but she’s not afraid to call them out if they deserve it.

Besides yourself, what celebrity would you like to see tackle this character?

There have already been so many amazing versions of Van Helsing. Peter Cushing in Horror of Dracula is definitely my favorite, and I love Anthony Hopkins in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, too. I’m not sure anyone could top their versions in my mind.

Without giving anything away, what’s your favorite line of dialogue?

“Why are you speaking to that fluttermouse?”

Besides yourself, which actor in this production is going to blow people away?

Allie, who plays Mina, has me cracking up every time she’s onstage. Her delivery is fantastic, and she has such natural comedic timing and instincts.

What’s the biggest challenge about taking on this role?

The most challenging thing (and one of the most fun things) has definitely been learning Van Helsing’s German dialect. I started doing research about how to approach it as soon as I found out I got the part, and I’ve spent a lot of time talking to myself in Van Helsing’s voice as I go about my day-to-day life.

What will the audience be thinking about in the car as they drive home after this show?

They’ll probably be thinking about the jokes and some of the ridiculous physical comedy, but I hope they’ll also think about the fact that the show says pretty clearly that people are capable of growth and change, especially when they are surrounded by others who help them in that growth. I think there is an important message hiding within all the one-liners that I hope will come through