Dan Istrate and ensemble. Photo by Graeme B. Shaw.

After countless adaptations and revisions, what does the story of Dracula continue to bring to the table? Is it a cautionary tale? Case study of a haunting figure? An excuse for oozing sexuality? An almost comical villain at this point?

Synetic Theater’s production of Bram Stoker’s classic (its second in recent years) plays a little with each of these ideas. The production is visually arresting from the start, with a large, hairy spider encasing the set, and web-like accents in the background, accented with red lighting. Brisk pacing, a suspenseful soundtrack from Synetic stalwart Konstantine Lortkipanidze and engrossing fight choreography all work together to keep the tension heightened throughout.

Synetic productions have stumbled at times when clumsy dialogue gets in the way of the company’s largely visual message. Nathan Weinberger’s script has a few clunky moments, but the story largely just serves as shorthand, covering the basics and sticking reasonably close to the source material without getting ponderous.