UTAH ARTS REVIEW | BALLET WEST OPENS SEASON WITH A REVIVAL OF ITS LAVISH AND ENTERTAINING 'DRACULA'
Ballet West opened its 2026-27 season at the Capitol Theatre on Friday with Dracula, Ben Stevenson’s highly celebrated portrayal of the gothic tale.
The familiar characters, combined with a lavish production, make this an accessible and entertaining ballet for newcomers. Originally premiered in Houston, Texas in 1997, it has proven to be a popular ballet in Utah, and this is the third time Ballet West has performed it since 2021.
Stevenson’s Dracula does not tell the same story as Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, but instead a series of scenes showcasing his undead brides, the abduction of a young woman from the nearby village, and Dracula’s death at the hand of the villagers.
Stevenson makes Dracula feel akin to other great story ballets by approaching it not only through grandeur and scale, but also by highlighting similarities through other classics. The initial, spectral appearance of his brides calls to mind the haunting Wilis from Giselle, but Stevenson’s choreography is more mutable, as the corps of 18 dancers quickly pivots from languid, elegant balances to crisp, angular arm movements.