Drink deeply from the dark side of desire this Halloween with BalletMet Columbus’ Dracula, Oct. 10-18, at the Capitol Theatre, 77 S. High St.

The production will go underground following this season, after captivating Columbus since 1999. Inspired by the Bram Stoker novel, this spine-tingling ballet by David Nixon seduces audiences with exhilarating mystery and drama.

The evocative imagery of Stoker’s 1897 gothic horror tale is brought to life through Nixon’s choreography and the music of Michael Daugherty, Arvo Pärt, Sergei Rachmaninov, and Alfred Schnittke. Dracula tells the legend of the famed vampire, cloaked in contradiction, emerging only to feast upon the darkest desires of all who whet his appetite, and to seduce Mina, the woman who inspires his love.

Nixon’s striking retelling is set in the Victorian era and exposes the forbidden and ageless passion between The Count and Mina. Eerie lighting designed by Alexander Nichols comes together with costumes by Linda Pisano and scenery by Dan Gray to feed the production’s stunning visual imagery.

Dracula premiered in 1999 while Nixon was Artistic Director of BalletMet and has been presented by BalletMet in seven seasons since its debut.

Following its run in Columbus, the BalletMet Company will present five performances of Dracula in St. Louis, Oct. 23-26. The engagement, at the Touhill Performing Arts Center, will kick off Dance St. Louis’ 43rd season.

Due to some adult content, Dracula is recommended for mature audiences.

Showtimes are Oct. 10 and 11, 8 p.m.; Oct. 12, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m.; and Oct. 17 and 18, 8 p.m.

Tickets to Dracula are $25-$45 and available through www.balletmet.org, CAPA, 614-469-0939 or Ticketmaster locations, 614-431-3600, www.ticketmaster.com.

DINNER WITH DRACULA, is Oct. 10, 6-7:30 p.m.,The Capital Club, Huntington Center
Tickets: $100 for dinner including a performance ticket or $60 for dinner only. Proceeds benefit BalletMet's artistic and education programs. To RSVP, call 614-586-8628.