Photo Flash: First Look at Orlando Shakes' IRMA VEP

A two-man comedy, Irma Vep - A Penny Dreadful, produced by Orlando Shakes in partnership with UCF, runs from October 10 - November 18, 2018 in the Goldman Theater. Tickets (starting at $30) are available now by phone (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, online at orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street).

Vampire attacks, werewolf sightings, and the resurrection of an Egyptian princess make for an exciting start to married life for Lady Enid, Lord Edgar's second wife. Set in mystical Gothic England, audiences will die laughing at this melodramatic farce - a quick-change marathon in which two actors play all the roles. "If Charlotte Brontë were to spend an afternoon bingeing on Hammer horror flicks, medicinal sherry and Jiffy Pop, perhaps she could dream up a tale as delirious as that of Irma Vep." (The New York Times)

"After last year's runaway hit, The Hound of the Baskervilles, we're excited to stage another absurdly outrageous production just in time for Halloween," says Artistic Director Jim Helsinger, who is also directing the production. "Chris Crawford and Brad DePlanche are perfectly suited for this style of comedy, and we can't wait to see their comedic brilliance come to life in this production."

Orlando Shakes' Irma Vep - A Penny Dreadful features:

· Chris Crawford* as Lord Edgar / Jane Twisden / An Intruder / Irma. Crawford returns to Orlando Shakes after appearing in 2017's smash hit, The Hound of the Baskervilles. Other Orlando Shakes credits include Monty Python's SPAMALOT and A Christmas Carol. Most recently, Chris was seen in the Orlando Fringe Patron's Pick, HELLO [Critic's Choice-Best Male Performer], a one-man show written and directed by the amazingly talented John Mark Jernigan. Regional: Murder Ballad [Carbonell Award], Buyer & Cellar [Carbonell Nomination] (Actor's Playhouse); Peter and the Starcatcher [TTB Nomination], John & Jen [TTB Nomination], Assassins [Director/TTB Award] (freeFall Theatre); My Name is Asher Lev [TTB Nomination], The Foreigner [Jeff Norton Award] (American Stage); Edward II (Shakespeare Theatre DC); Lion in Winter (Palm Beach Dramaworks); Assassins (Zoetic Stage); One Man, Two Guvnors, Boeing Boeing (TheatreSquared). Chris holds and MFA in Acting from the University of Arkansas and is a proud member of the Actors' Equity Association.

· Brad DePlanche* as Lady Enid / Nicodemus / Alcazar / Pev Amri. Past credits at Orlando Shakes include Monty Python's SPAMALOT, The Adventures of Pericles, The Tempest, Henry V, Rapunzel, It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, and The Taming of the Shrew. Other credits include Measure for Measure (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival), The Importance of Being Earnest (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival), I Hate Hamlet (Arts Center of Coastal Carolina), and Bedroom Farce (Florida Repertory Theatre).

Director Helsinger has directed many Orlando Shakes productions including The Hound of the Baskervilles, Henry V, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Monty Python's SPAMALOT, The Adventures of Pericles, and West Side Story. He has also directed for The Actors Theatre of Louisville, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Florida Repertory Theater, Actors' Playhouse, Florida Studio Theatre, Cape May Stage, Prague Shakespeare Company, and Colorado Shakespeare Festival. He is a member of Actors' Equity Association, National Theatre Conference, National New Play Network, and is a past president of the Shakespeare Theatre Association and recipient of the prestigious Sidney Berger Award for outstanding talent and dedication to the works of William Shakespeare. Helsinger also serves as a UCF faculty member.

The artistic team also includes Scenic Designer Bert Scott, Scenic Design Assistant Derek Townsley, Lighting Designer Kevin Griffin, Costume Designer Lisa Zinni, and AEA Stage Manager George Hamrah*. The production features original sound design by Matt Given with additional sound design by Hamrah.

*Member of Actors' Equity Association.

Preview Dates: October 10 & 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Opening Date: October 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Senior Matinees: October 17 & 24, 31, and November 7 at 2 p.m.
Talk Back Performance: October 28 at 2 p.m.

Opening Night Party & Pre-Show Chat - Friday, October 12

Arrive at 6:15 p.m. to enjoy free light appetizers, followed by a brief, informative discussion about the creative process with the director and members of the creative team. Free to all opening night ticket holders. No RSVP necessary.

Wednesdays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and select Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. - starting at $30

Preview Performances and Senior Matinees - starting at $18

This project is sponsored in part by the Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture and the State of Florida. Orlando Shakes is supported by United Arts of Central Florida, host of OrlandoAtPlay.com and UAArtsEd.com.

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