NEWSLETTER
Beacon, N.Y. - The Bannerman Castle Trust (BCT) invites the public to take a Hudson River sunset cruise aboard the BCT’s RV Estuary Steward Tour Boat, to experience a new presentation of Dracula: The Journal of Jonathan Harker. This special theater event will be presented on historic Bannerman Island, located just south of Beacon, and north of Cold Spring in the Hudson River Highlands, from Tuesday, September 23 - Thursday, October 2, 2025. Tours depart from the Beacon, NY dock at both 6:00 and 7:00pm for a single evening performance that begins at 8:00pm.
Sent to Castle Dracula to deliver deeds to the infamous Count, Jonathan Harker has no idea what he’s getting himself into in this tour-de-force thrill ride, starring Duane Boutté (Sex and the City, Alabama Shakespeare, Lincoln Center) and Directed by Christian Conn (Asolo Rep, Guthrie Theatre).
Once he arrives, Jonathan finds himself being held captive by the eerie and cryptic Count, discovering horrific sights behind some of the castle’s closed doors. Only after he escapes his worst fear confirmed: Count Dracula is an undead creature of the night. With the help of Van Helsing and other friends, Jonathan sets off on a mission to find and destroy the Count before he becomes more powerful than ever, risking his life to save the lives of those he loves.
This unique performance includes a roundtrip cruise to and from Bannerman Island through the stunning views of the Hudson River Highlands. The 6:00 pm cruise includes a tour of Bannerman Island before the show, and the 7:00 pm cruise will enjoy a short lecture about Bannerman Island after the show ends. The event is performed on the Bannerman Island Stage in front of the historic Bannerman Residence (little castle) on Bannerman Island.
All attendees are given the opportunity to explore the magnificent gardens and the breathtaking views of the historic structures on Bannerman’s Island before the performance. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at bannermancastle.org. (Seats are limited). Proceeds from this production help fund further restoration projects on Bannerman’s Island. For more information, please call 845-831-1001. Thank you!
“DRAC IS BACK” ON BANNERMAN ISLAND AND BETTER THAN EVER IN AN INCREDIBLE ADAPTATION OF THE DRACULA STORY BY JIM HELSINGER (Orlando Shakes Artistic Director).
“This is the very essence of theatre… Don’t miss it.” – The Bethlehem Press (PA)
DRACULA: The Journal of Jonathan Harker is made possible, in part, through funding from the County of Dutchess and Destination Dutchess (formerly Dutchess Tourism, Inc.) and administered by Arts Mid-Hudson. Performances of DRACULA: The Journal of Jonathan Harker are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
In recognition of achievements in presenting unforgettable experiences on Bannerman Island, the Bannerman Castle Trust received the 2023 Events Award of Distinction from Dutchess County Tourism.
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Image: Bannerman Castle Illuminated! by L.A. Clark