Dr. Seward's Dracula: Stage Fright, #2

By Joseph Zettelmaier

"People need monsters. They need to believe that there are limits to humanity and lines that cannot be crossed."

 

Dr. John Seward, once a resolute guardian against the horrors of the night, has retreated into isolation, haunted by the devastating loss of his beloved and his closest friends to the sinister Count Dracula. As he grapples with his grief and guilt, a lifeline is thrown his way—an enigmatic letter from Irish author Bram Stoker, eager to immortalize Seward's harrowing tale.

 

But before Seward can face his past, a chilling new terror descends. A string of grisly murders echoes the very nightmare he thought vanquished. Forced back into the fray, the doctor must confront both tangible evils and the phantoms of his tortured mind.

 

In this gripping adaptation, award-winning playwright Joseph Zettelmaier weaves a tale of suspense, inner darkness, and relentless pursuit of truth. As Seward navigates a world where the boundaries between reality and nightmare blur, he must rediscover the strength to stand against the creeping shadows—both within and without.

 

Will Dr. Seward uncover the sinister force behind the new wave of deaths, or will he succumb to the demons that have haunted him since that fateful encounter with Dracula?

 

The answers lie within the blood-soaked pages of Dr. Seward's Dracula.

 

"Zettelmaier's perspective on Dracula involves guilt and a quest for redemption." - Chicago Tribune

 

"A gothic-style, psychological thriller." - The Daily Herald

 

"This is one of those rare thrillers that lives up to its promise, grabbing our attention in its first moments and not letting go until the heart-stopping ending." - Chicago Reader

 

"A creepy, clever prequel to Bram Stokers' vampire legend." - The Ann Arbor News

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sordelet Ink
• Release date: Jun 11, 2024
• ISBN: 9781957328423

Book preview

Dr. Seward’s Dracula

a play by

Joseph Zettelmaier

Inspired by the works of Bram Stoker

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, events, and organizations portrayed in this work are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously.

Dr. Seward’s Dracula

Copyright © 2007 by Joseph Zettelmaier

ISBN: 978-1957328423

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means including photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval without permission in writing from the author.

For information about production rights, visit:

www.jzettelmaier.com

Published by Sordelet Ink

www.sordeletink.com

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DR. SEWARD’S DRACULA premiered on October 3, 2007 at the Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck, MI. It was directed by Shannon Ferrante. Set Design by Tommy LeRoy. Costume Design by Kate Orr. Sound Design by Rob McFadyen. Fight choreography by Joseph Zettelmaier. The Assistant Director was Allison Christy. Stage Managed by Emily Bowyer. The cast was as follows:

JACK: ROB MCFADYEN

EMILY: SARAH KORSON

STOKER: LEE STILLE

THE STRANGE MAN: JACOB HODGSON

LOUIS: KEITH KALINOWSKI

DR. SEWARD’S DRACULA received its Equity Premiere on October 5, 2016 at First Folio Theatre in Oak Brook, IL. It was directed by Alison C. Vesely. Scenic and Costume Design by Angela Weber Miller. Lighting Design by Greg Freeman. Original Music and Sound Design by Christopher Kriz. Fight choreography by Michael Goldberg. The Assistant Director was Melanie Keller. Stage Managed by Julia Zayas-Melendez. The cast was as follows:

JACK: CHRISTIAN GRAY

EMILY: ELIZABETH STENHOLT

STOKER: JOSEPH STEARNS

THE STRANGE MAN: TED KITTERMAN

LOUIS: CRAIG SPIDLE

For information about production rights, visit www.jzettelmaier.com.

Cast of Characters

DR. JACK SEWARD - Psychiatrist, 30s

EMILY COVINGTON - Socialite, 20s

BRAM STOKER - Editor/Novelist, 45

THE STRANGE MAN

LOUIS CARLYSLE - Inspector, 30-40s

Time

December, 1895

Place

London, England

ACT I

Scene One

(JACK is alone onstage. His room is a small, unkempt flat in an unsavory part of town. There is a bed, a desk & chair, and a washroom. He is finishing writing something in his journal. He checks his watch. He takes out a syringe, and fills it with morphine. His shirt is open, revealing a large, still-healing scar. Suddenly, a knock on the door. He jumps, then runs to the door, attempting to button his shirt)

JACK

I hope you didn’t have any trouble…

(He opens the door. No one is there. A letter lies on the doorstep. He takes it, closes the door. He is about to read it when EMILY appears. She picks up his syringe)

EMILY

That can’t be healthy.

JACK

Just to calm my nerves.

(JACK rises quickly, attempting to button his shirt so that EMILY can’t see the scar)

EMILY

Oh yes. You’re a picture of calmness.

JACK

Did you…I mean…?

EMILY

No.

(He finishes buttoning his shirt)

EMILY

You’ll have to show it to me someday.

JACK

Perhaps. When it’s healed.

EMILY

Or…Perhaps now. (She creeps up behind him and attempts to unbutton his shirt)

JACK

(He evades her) I think you’re too used to getting what you want.

EMILY

Yes. Because in the end, I always do.

(She stares at him, then gently touches his face. He almost lets himself enjoy it, then rises and crosses away)

EMILY

What is it?

JACK

Nothing. Nothing at all. Give me a moment.

(JACK goes to the bathroom. EMILY sits and flips through the journal. JACK returns drying off his head. He dresses himself in a threadbare suit as they speak)

EMILY

My. Aren’t you…damp.

JACK

I’m expecting company.

EMILY

Oh. Should I be jealous?

JACK

You’ve never been jealous of anyone in your entire life.

EMILY

Very true. (She strolls around the room. She sees some cobwebs & freezes) Jack. There are cobwebs.

JACK

Hmmm.

EMILY

You know how I feel about spiders.

JACK

They’re harmless.

EMILY

They’re filthy little bloodsuckers. And they scuttle.

JACK

I’m not entirely certain what you’re concerned about.

EMILY

(Shuddering slightly) I can’t believe you live with cobwebs.

JACK

Surviving, not living.

EMILY

None of that. You know how I