The Nevada Conservatory Theatre at UNLV opens Ted Tiller's "Count Dracula," directed by David Ivers, at 8 p.m. on Friday, October 29 in the Judy Bayley Theatre.

"Count Dracula," an exciting, thrilling, and sometimes humorous version of the classic story of a suave vampire whose passion is sinking teeth into the throats of young women, is based on Bram Stoker's novel Dracula, and is a Halloween treat for young and old.

Jordan Bondurant plays Count Dracula and joint Artistic Director of the Utah Shakespearean Festival, Brian Vaughn, plays Heinrich Van Helsing. Others in the cast include Barbara King, Jakob Sauter, Phil Hubbard, Mike Thatcher, Gerrad Taylor, Alan Dronek, Lauren Mack, Paris McCarthy, and Alex Williams.

Ivers is the joint Artistic Director of the Utah Shakespearean Festival, along with Vaughn. He has worked regionally with the Oregon, Alabama and Idaho Shakespeare festivals, as well as numerous seasons at Portland Center Stage, Artists Repertory Theatre, Tacoma Actors Guild, Portland Repertory Theatre, ACT Seattle, Seattle Rep, and others. He has served on a variety of panels and committees on leadership, education, programming, and has taught and guest directed at several major universities, including the University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, Southern Utah University, Southern Oregon University, Mt Hood Community College, and others.

For the past 15 years Vaughn has split his time at two of the country's top regional theatres: the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespearean Festival and the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. He has acted in over 35 roles in 16 seasons, portraying a slew of diverse leading roles including Hamlet, Henry V, and Cyrano de Bergerac.

A member of the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre's resident acting company since 1997, he has appeared in leading and supporting roles in over 40 productions.

Performances are October 29, 30, November 4, 5, and 6 at 8 p.m. and October 31 and November 7 at 2 p.m. General admission tickets are $20 and on sale at the UNLV Performing Arts Center Box Office. Special rates are available for senior citizens; students; military; handicapped; UNLV students, faculty and staff; and groups of 15 or more. Performing Arts Center Box Office hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The box office may be reached by calling 895-ARTS (2787).