The Seattle premiere of Douglas Carter Beane's play, "As Bees in Honey Drown," opens tonight (Jan. 18) at ArtsWest Playhouse.
The play has been dubbed "a witty, satirical comedy about the pitfalls of desperately seeking fame at all costs."
Beane, the author of "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar," takes the audience on a witty and wild ride powered by sophisticated humor and relentless honesty. This play has been described as "clever, stylish and hilarious."
A winner of the Outer Critics Circle Award and Obie Award, "As Bees in Honey Drown" satirizes the aspiring talent - be they actors, artists, writers - who seek fame at any cost, right along with the obsequious hangers-on who are shallow enough to equate fame with talent.
"Beane uses humor to expose the dark and seductive nature of fame, glamour and wealth, suggesting perhaps that when spotlights and sound bites take the place of substance and skill we are all in danger," says Christopher Zinovitch, director of the show. "In danger of self combusting - like the moth that dances too close to the flame - or, of drowning as bees in honey do."
"As Bees in Honey Drown" tells the story of Evan, a young writer in New York City and Alexa Vere de Vere, the high-flying actress, agent and show-biz maven who befriends, bewitches and betrays him as only the most sophisticated and practiced con artist can do. The action is fast pace‘d -- plots continually spin and thicken -- and mayhem threatens to rule in this suspenseful, scathing, witty and humorous look at the world of glitz, glamour and celebrities galore.
In the lead role of Alexa Vere de Vere, Zinovitch is bringing back Heather Hawkins who played the lead role of Mrs. Johnstone in "Blood Brothers," along with Andrew McIntyre (Sammy in "Blood Brothers") in the lead role as Evan. Completing the cast are Beth Cooper, Paul Custodio, Gavin Cummins and Kate Witt, another favorite from "Blood Brothers."
Tickets are $10 to $24 and are available at the box office, 938-0339 or online at www.artswest.org Performances are at 7:30 p.m. opening night, Wednesday, Jan. 18 and Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through Feb. 4 with 3 p.m. matinees on Sunday, Jan. 29 and Saturday Feb. 4.
ArtsWest Playhouse is located at 4711 California Ave. S.W.
