Andrew Criss to appear in ‘Chesapeake’ at Clear Space Aug. 20

Andrew Criss will bring back "Chesapeake" to Clear Space Theatre in Rehoboth Beach for a single performance at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 20. First appearing on the Clear Space stage in 2016, this touching, one-man "dramedy" recounts the story of a grant-funded performance artist, a conservative politician and the politician's beloved Chesapeake Bay Retriever Lucky. Written by Lee Blessing, author of "A Walk in the Woods," "Chesapeake" explores the interplay of the arts, politics and Luck(y) - and fetches up some wonderfully entertaining theater in the process.

Criss said, "I am thrilled to be reprising my roles of artist, politician and - yes, dog! - at Clear Space. It's a wonderful show - very funny, as well as very touching. 'Chesapeake's' message is one that I love: People can change for the better. They can return to the good person they were always meant to be."

"Chesapeake" explores issues such as the AIDS crisis, censorship of the arts and the fight for equality - but does so in the context of a dognapping that goes terribly wrong.

Criss describes the special appeal this particular play holds for him: "'Chesapeake' is one of those shows which continues to resonate with me. I can certainly relate to the artist, who is also the narrator of this play. He moved from the South to the more liberal North in the 1990s, to finally be himself - just as I did, at the same age and time. And this play is about many of the things that interest me: committing to your dreams, making art despite the odds, politics, life in the mid-Atlantic, dogs and being the best human you can be."

David Button, Clear Space artistic director, said "We are delighted that Andrew is reviving ‘Chesapeake' for another Clear Space audience.This show is evocative and timely. Andrew is 100 percent invested in every moment and stages things simply and innovatively. If you didn't catch this performance last year at Clear Space, do not miss this opportunity!"

Tickets are $17-$32. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to clearspacetheatre.org or call 302-227-2270.