‘As Bees in Honey Drown’ Being Staged At WestConn

DANBURY — Douglas Carter Beane’s contemporary satire As Bees in Honey Drown is being staged at Western Connecticut State University. Performances continue through Saturday, October 10, in the Reimold Theatre in Berkshire Hall, which can be found on Osborne Street on the university’s midtown campus.

Remaining shows are 8 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, October 7-9. There will be matinees at 2 pm on Saturday, October 9, and another at 3 pm on Sunday, October 10.

Tickets are $15, $10 for seniors and students. Call 203-837-TIXX (8499) or visit www.wcsu.edu/tickets.

Beane’s play opened in New York in June 1997 to critical acclaim and earned the playwright an Outer Critics Circle Award for his writing.

As Bees in Honey Drown tells the story of Evan Wyler, a 20-something writer, who captures the attention of the mysterious Alexa Vere de Vere with his newly published novel. Alexa wants Evan to write the screenplay of her life story. Evan gets caught up Alexa’s world of fame and fortune.

But once Evan, who is gay, convinces himself he loves Alexa, she disappears, leaving him with all the bills and Armani suits to pay for.

“Trying to find Alexa, Evan discovers a chain of people whom she has taken for a ride and discovers she has no money, no job, no life of her own — only the one she has created for herself,” said Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts Erik Tonner, the show’s director.

The cast includes Jessica Costello of East Haven as Alexa Vere de Vere; Michael Grispin, of Mahopac, N.Y., as Evan Wyler; Bobby Morrison of Danbury as Ronald/Skunk/Mike; Jason Nolan of Stratford as Swen/Kaden; Christina Kalafut of East Haven as Carla/Denise/Illya/Muse; and Samantha Curtis of Redding as Amber/Ginny/Bethany/Muse.

In addition to Prof Tonner, the crew includes Sal Trapani as producer, Frank Herbert as technical director, Elizabeth Popiel as set designer, Jessica Camarero as costume designer, and Mel Ryan as production stage manager.