“Count Dracula”, the play, has come to the Averitt Center for the Arts in the Ted Tiller revision of Bram Stoker’s classic novel, Dracula.

On Oct. 18-19 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 20 at 2:00 p.m., The Averitt STARs cast will be performing a modernized version of the unforgettable tale starring Transylvania’s most famous vampire.

Newly pronounced director for an Averitt STARs production, Eileen Baynes, brings “Count Dracula”, a comedic thriller, to Statesboro for the first time. Along with Baynes, Kelly Berry, the technical director at Georgia Southern University, has brought this story to life with his set designs.

“GSU has all the technical skills and to be able to put the people who love to act in the community along with the technical skills is a very exciting blend,” Baynes said.

“Count Dracula” is a story based on the original novel Dracula. However, this story is unlike its precursor in the event that it is based inside an asylum for the criminally insane. The man running the operation is character Dr. Seward played by John Williamson.

Sister to the doctor, Sybil, played by Susan Jackson, hears of a new arrival to the town named Count Dracula and decides upon herself to invite this newcomer to dinner.

During dinner the Count meets Dr. Seward’s daughter Mina. From first sight, Dracula becomes smitten with this young woman and from there the story takes a turn no one could see coming but the Dutch professor with a knack for hunting vampires, Van Helsing

“There are some spooky moments, there are some things that will startle the people, the effects are pretty good and Dracula’s pretty creepy,” Baynes said.

The story, which is based in the 1930s, is not meant to be terrifying, but meant to be on the edge of scary and humorous.

“It’s not blood and gore. It’s not ‘Twilight’ or ‘True Blood’,” Jackson said.

“Count Dracula” tickets will be $11 for adults $10 for children and box seats will be $16 for Friends of the Arts. For non-members it will be $13 for adults $10 for children and $18 for box seats.