‘The Graduate’ to open at Clear Space Jan. 25
Just in time to cure the winter doldrums, “The Graduate” will open Friday, Jan. 25, at Clear Space Theatre in Rehoboth Beach.
Terry Johnson’s play, adapted from both Charles Webb’s 1963 novel and Calder Willingham and Buck Henry’s 1967 screenplay, retains all the wit and sizzle of its sources. A bittersweet comedy, “The Graduate” takes audiences back to the early 1960s, as the counter-culture and sexual revolutions were gaining momentum.
And there it finds hapless recent college graduate Benjamin Braddock (Braeden Swain); Mrs. Robinson (Shannon Parks), the wife of one of Benjamin’s father’s colleagues and seductress extraordinaire; and Elaine (Minta Lovell), Mrs. Robinson’s lovely daughter. The resultant triangle makes for very good theater – and for Benjamin, a very stressful life!
Parks said, “Mrs. Robinson is such an iconic character! When I tell people I’m playing her, they invariably say, ‘What a perfect role for you!’ But honestly, I’m quite bewildered by the choices Mrs. R. makes throughout the course of the play – they are far outside the realm of any personal experience. But that distance between oneself and one’s character is a great thing; it allows for a lot of exploration and discovery as an actor. She is going to be quite a challenge, and I’m always game for that!”
Swain said, “This role has much greater depth – and is more intense – than most roles I’ve had. As a result, I have the chance to grow my skills and versatility as an actor. I love the challenge of conveying the emotions and themes my character faces. I’m also really enjoying working with the many talented actors in the show and with Director David Button.”
As audiences visit – or revisit – the early 1960s, they’ll find that themes explored in “The Graduate” continue to resonate: Questions about sexuality and age, intergenerational relationships, women’s sexual empowerment, the role of sex in or outside of marriage, and the difference between sex and love reverberate still.
Parks said, “Audiences will, I hope, be moved to lots of laughter, a few tears, and perhaps a bit of self-reflection as they journey with us through this saga. I hope audiences will enjoy and learn from the different messages within the show and its characters. Individuals likely will interpret those messages differently, perhaps taking something unique away from the show.”
Sponsored by the Cape Gazette, “The Graduate” runs Friday to Sunday, Jan. 25 to 27, Feb. 1 to 3 and Feb. 8 to 10. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7 p.m. and Sunday performances are at 3 p.m. The opening-night performance includes a pre-show reception at 6 p.m. There also is one Thursday performance, at 11 a.m., Jan. 31.
Tickets for all shows except opening night are $17-$32; tickets for Jan. 25 are $60. To purchase tickets, go to www.clearspacetheatre.org or call 302-227-2270.
