Joshua Alexander, a soloist with Columbia City Ballet, as Count Dracula and Regina Willoughby, a principal with Columbia City Ballet, as Lucy Westenra, Count Dracula’s intended victim Already known as the coolest dance show yet,

Columbia City Ballet’s Dracula:

Ballet With A Bite

returns to the Koger Center with a fresh approach and new blood for Halloween weekend.

Count Dracula and his Brides of Darkness are back with new choreography, costumes and palpitating music in this cutting–edge production. New casting offers fresh blood to performances of the “must see” Halloween dance favorite.

In keeping with the vampire explosion sweeping fans of all ages, Columbia City Ballet’s Artistic Director William Starrett is taking a modern look at this year’s production.

“With the whole vampire genre so current, it’s no longer just about capes,” says Starrett. “I’m looking at the Count through 2009 eyes with some updated music, new costumes, and new choreography.”

Joshua Alexander as Count Dracula and Regina Willoughby as Lucy Westenra Soloist Josh Alexander, who is new to the company this season, takes the lead as Count Dracula in the dark romantic fable. Alexander has performed as a guest artist at VII Serge Lifar Dance competition in Ukraine, Carolina Ballet Theatre, Greenville Ballet, California State University, and as a principal dancer with the South Carolina Contemporary Dance Company.

Regina Willoughby returns as Lucy Westenra, Dracula’s intended victim. Additional casting includes Mark Krieger dancing as Arthur Holmwood, Ballerina Victoria Cholkas alternating as Mina and the red maiden, with Kathryn Smoak and Alicia White as Dracula’s other chosen wives.

The pulsating rock/ jazz musical score is composed by the late Thomas E. Semanski with critics saying it is “perfect for the terror and seduction scenes.” Dracula, Semanski’s first ballet, won the popular music award from the American Society of Composers, as well as the national ASCAP Award.

The performance promises haunting visuals and graphic special effects by Columbia City Ballet Technical Director Barry Sparks.

The 16th presentation

of Dracula: Ballet With a Bite

is presented by Michelin and Colonial Life and Accident Insurance Company. Performances will be 7:30 pm each night Thursday, October 29; Friday, October 30; and Saturday, October 31 at the Koger Center. Adding to the Halloween festivities will be an adult costume contest during the October 31st performance with a $100 cash prize and other gifts.

As part of Columbia City Ballet's commitment to education, all students tickets for the Thursday, October 29, performance are only $10 with a valid student identification, giving students a 77% savings off the regular ticket price.

General ticket prices range from $12-$45 and can be purchased at 803-251- 2222, all Capitol Ticket outlets and online at www.capitoltickets. com. For more information, please visit www.columbiacityballet.co m or call 803-799-7605 or 800-899-7408.