MP3 Original Cast Recording - Dracula

Dracula - The Musical adapted from Bram Stoker's Classic Gothic Novel

17 MP3 Songs
CLASSICAL: Musical Theater, EASY LISTENING: Musicals/Broadway



Details:
Dracula is the new musical by Gareth Evans and Christopher J. Orton, with orchestration by Ian Lynn. The musical is an adaptation of Bram Stoker's classic gothic novel, 'Dracula'.
This collaborative work accurately represents the dark Victorian world of Stoker's novel whilst making a direct connection between the fictional vampire and historic figure, Vlad Tepes - Dracula. The libretto has been deliberately written with due consideration to the period and intention of the original 1897 novel.
This professional work is a musical based upon the novel (and Stoker's original references for the novel) and not based upon a film version, or some romantic idea, of the story and title character.

The musical "Dracula" has taken over six years to reach the present stage of development. After extensive research had been conducted by the lyricist in 1999 / 2000 (including the use of references to Stoker's original notes for the novel), the initial lyric structures for some of the proposed songs and the outline of the musical plot were written. The first version of the complete libretto had been produced by 2003 and has subsequently been further improved.
Christopher J. Orton and Gareth Evans began working together on the project in 2004, when Christopher began setting the libretto to his original music and to create the score for the work.
After the lyricist and composer had recorded some demo material of their work in 2004, and following some private cast readings of scenes, an opportunity arose to produce a professional concept recording of the show. This process began in 2005 after the noted composer, arranger and musical director, Ian Lynn, agreed to orchestrate the work.
The album features the leading West End musical theatre performer, Michael McCarthy, singing the title role.
The official album launch was on September 25th at Dress Circle (London). Since then the album has been selling well at all retail outlets and is still a top CD best seller at Dress Circle.
The UK Theatre Magazine, What's On Stage, published a very positive review of the Dracula concept album in its December 2006 issue. Recently, a track from the album was played on national radio. That was on the Elaine Paige show on BBC Radio 2.
A further album of the complete Dracula musical is planned and that process will begin during 2007.
The producers of the album are Sang de Vie Productions Ltd. They can be contacted via their website.

CAST LIST

Michael McCarthy - Dracula

Stephanie Benavente - Mina

Robert Fardell - Van Helsing

Kit Orton - Harker

Alison Guill - Lucy

John Barr - Renfield

Christian Jon Billett - Holmwood

Alex Sangster - Seward

Steven Sparling - Morris

Ensemble / Chorus: Deborah Crowe, Stephanie Evans, Claire Falconer, Ian Lynn, Christopher Orton, Alex Sangster, Steven Sparling, Anna-Lee Robertson


"...A powerful new Gothic musical that remains faithful to the original novel"

"The songs deliver just the right measure of dramatic passion to get the blood pumping"

" ... Michael McCarthy hitting all the right notes in the title role"

"This 70 minute CD has already gathered a battalion of fans"

"...has enough dramatic bite to keep you listening well beyond moonrise"

The Editor - What's On Stage Magazine.