Madison Ballet’s newest work steps about as far away from sugar plums and snowflakes as it’s possible to go.
With a pounding rock score, sensual, contemporary movement and an undead protagonist who preys upon the living, “Dracula” marks a movement toward the mature that has been a long time coming for the 30-year-old company.
“‘Dracula’ is the culmination of a lot of interesting things we’ve done,” said artistic director W. Earle Smith. The new piece’s “innovation, style and creativity will hopefully … get us out of that ‘Nutcracker’ image.”