WIT presented by Clear Space Theatre Group

 

Sponsored by Beebe Healthcare, WIT opens Friday, September 22, at Clear Space Theatre in Rehoboth Beach. Margaret Edson’s 1999 Pulitzer Prize-winning one-act play focuses on university professor Vivian Bearing (Rosemary Loar), an expert on the 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. 

 

Loar, a veteran of Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theaters, as well as television, concerts and cabaret, says of the role, “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.” 

 

Loar adds, “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, Executive Director notes: “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.”

 

Paulson adds: “Clear Space is grateful to our friends at Beebe Healthcare for sponsoring WIT, and for offering technical assistance with the production.  Following the September 29 performance, several Beebe staff will be at the theatre to interact with the audience, providing information and responding to questions.”

 

WIT continues weekends from Friday, September 29 through Sunday, October 8, with Friday and Saturday performances at 7:00 pm and Sunday performances at 3:00 pm. Tickets for all shows are $17 - $32, and may be purchased on-line at www.clearspacetheatre.org, or by calling the box office at 302-227-2270. 

 

WIT

is produced through special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.

All authorized performance materials are supplied by Dramatists Play Service, Inc.

440 Park Avenue South, New York 10016

PHONE: 212.683.8960