Eureka Springs HS Drama/ Choir, under the direction of Rick Mann, presents a comedy and tragedy double feature at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 19-20.
Pandora and the Sickle Moon features Janelle Anderson playing Pandora, the first woman created by Greek gods. She has opened a box releasing all the evils of humanity. She can’t undo the deed, so she decides her penance must be to observe the evil play out in the world. She serves as the audience’s narrator in this tragic tale told out of time and place.
Pandora tells of Freya (Baylee Harris), a young princess who has been captured in a battle that killed her family, and an evil queen (played by Aubrey Huntley) who plots a way to stay in power after the death of the king. Clyde Hutchinson portrays her first-born son, Brono, who does not speak and, therefore, cannot be king. Her second-born son, Vol (Ronan Manus), is an explorer who has no kingly aspirations, though his mother wishes otherwise. Pandora frets as the evil she has released plunges the family into darkness. Yet through a climactic and surprising sacrifice, she realizes that hope will always remain.
Dracula in Love features Raven and Lulu (Riley and Peyton Gordon) as two young women seeking refuge who become unexpected guests at Dracula’s annual Halloween party. Cosmo Echelle plays Igor the Hunchback, and ESHS alumnus Hayden Williams plays Dracula.
These hosts seem friendly, but chills and laughter escalate as monstrous guests arrive, including Zack the Zombie (Cesar Rincon-Estrada), Frankenstein (Carson Phelps) and the mummified Egyptian Queen Nefertiti (Madison Partee). The guests are real…and possibly dangerous! An out-of-season Ghost of Christmas Past (Hannah Kelley) makes an appearance and takes Dracula on a journey through his past. Will Dracula’s affection for one of the girls keep her safe, or is she destined to be bitten and lead a vampire’s life of darkness? Amber Kirk, Oli Miller and Harley Cooper complete the silly cast.
The double feature is sponsored by Equity Bank and will be performed on the ESHS auditorium stage. Admission is $5 for adults. Students are admitted for free. Tickets may be purchased on the Eureka Springs School website online store or at the door.