Broadway actress Rosemary Loar leads ‘Wit’ at Clear Space Theatre

Sponsored by Beebe Healthcare, "Wit" opened Sept. 22 at Clear Space Theatre in Rehoboth Beach. Margaret Edson's 1999 Pulitzer Prize-winning, one-act play focuses on university professor Vivian Bearing, an expert on poet John Donne, who is dying of ovarian cancer. Single, childless and with no immediate family, Bearing muses on her life and life's work with both wisdom and humor during her final hours.

Bearing is played by Rosemary Loar, a veteran of Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theaters, as well as television, concerts and cabaret. Loar said, "I saw this play when it first opened in New York. I was deeply moved; I knew I would remember its depth and brilliance for the rest of my life - and I have. This is a compelling, often humorous, and quite beautiful portrayal of someone who has lived in her head for her whole life and finally - now, at the end of it - is finding her kindness, her humanness. It's a celebration of human interaction and how that interaction is ultimately the most important thing we have to give to one another."

She said, "This role is challenging: Professor Bearing is very erudite and sometimes verbose. And Donne, the poet she quotes, wrote in Old English - that feels like another language to me. There are a lot of words - not all of them familiar - to memorize and make my own. But the role is also deeply rewarding."

Wesley Paulson, Clear Space executive director, said, "Each September, Clear Space offers a production of a play from the genre of contemporary theatre, which is a bit different than our usual season of musicals, comedies and mysteries. Like similar productions in 2015 and 2016, ‘Wit’ allows our audience to experience a different type of theatre, one that presents an issue like ovarian cancer."

He said, "Clear Space is grateful to our friends at Beebe Healthcare for sponsoring ‘Wit,’ and for offering technical assistance with the production. Following the Sept. 29 performance, several Beebe staff will be at the theatre to interact with the audience, providing information and responding to questions."

"Wit" will continue Friday to Sunday, Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 and Oct. 6 to 8. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7 p.m., and Sunday performances are at 3 p.m. Tickets for all shows are $17-$32. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to www.clearspacetheatre.org or call 302-227-2270.