‘Venus in Fur’ continues through Sept. 29 at Clear Space Theatre
Clear Space Theatre Company’s 20th anniversary season continues with three fall productions, “Venus in Fur,” “Sweeney Todd” and “Shrek,” at 20 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach.
Casting has been announced, and the shows include a range of beloved local favorite actors, national artists from New York City and young people from across the region.
For a complete schedule and to purchase tickets, go to clearspacetheatre.org.
A crackling exploration of sexual control and desire, “Venus in Fur” performances continue through Sunday, Sept. 29. The show combines playwright David Ives’ legendary rigor, wit and wild humor. At an audition for a new, highly erotic play, a director is at the end of his rope to find the right female lead, until a surprising actress walks in to take the reins. Soon, a charged cat-and-mouse game begins.
The two-person cast is led by Christopher Pio as Thomas and Eve Dillingham as Vanda, the actress auditioning for him. After years performing in New York, Pio has also appeared regularly on film in popular shorts on the international film festival circuit, including “On Dying Grass,” “Desired” and “City in the Sea.” Also based in New York, Dillingham was most recently seen as Viola in “Twelfth Night” at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London.
“Venus in Fur” is directed by Carin Jean White, who received her master of fine arts degree at Columbia University and has staged unique projects in New York and the Czech Republic. All three artists make their Clear Space debut with “Venus in Fur.”
The chilling and thrilling “Sweeney Todd,” one of Stephen Sondheim’s most acclaimed masterpieces, will run from Friday, Oct. 11 to Sunday, Oct. 27. The dark and compelling tale of revenge and murder makes a perfect addition to the Halloween season.
Sweeney Todd, an unjustly imprisoned barber, returns to London seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravished his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which he opens a new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett's luck sharply shifts when Todd's thirst for blood – and an ingenious contraption connecting their two shops – brings a new ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up, and the carnage has only just begun.
Returning Clear Space actors Matt Whalen and Lorraine Leave star as Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett. They are joined by returning Clear Space artists Thomas Higgins as Tobias Ragg, Steve Givens as Judge Turpin, Sarah Rose as Adolfo Pirelli and Tyler Dark as Jonas Fogg. Making their Clear Space debuts are Drew Black as Anthony Hope, Tiffany Furicchia as Johanna and Benjamin Cohen as Beadle Bamford. Clear Space Theatre Company Artistic Director David Button directs, with James Weber serving as musical director and Candice Jewell as choreographer.
Shrek.
Clear Space will present a Spotlight on Young Performers production of “Shrek” from Friday to Sunday, Nov. 8 to 10, featuring talented young artists from the Clear Space Arts Institute.
A hit Broadway musical adapted from everyone’s favorite animated film, “Shrek” is the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude, and more than a dozen other fairy-tale misfits, and it’s the kind of mess that calls for a real hero.
In the production’s leading roles, Justin Truitt plays Shrek, Abby Lynne plays Fiona, Grace Lucas plays Donkey, Natalie Howard plays Lord Farquaad, Liv Nehrbas plays Dragon, Lily Truit plays Pinocchio, and Alex DeEmedio plays Gingy. More than 30 young people from across the region are featured in the ensemble.
