Tickets and photos: http://cvlt.org/events/the-mystery-of-irma-vep
CHAGRIN
FALLS, Ohio - If you love a well-scripted gothic murder mystery,
but you also crave the campy giddiness of live comedy, you will
fall for Chagrin Valley Little Theatre’s production of THE
MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP: A Penny Dreadful. Performances
are at 8 p.m. Sept. 28, 29, Oct. 11, 12, 13, and at 2 p.m. on
Sept. 30 and Oct. 14.
Playwright Charles Ludlam pulls out the stops with a show that includes Egyptian mummies, vampires, ghosts and werewolves set in a proper Victorian manor household, complete with a butler and housekeeper. The three-act play is a satirical mashup of theatrical, literary and film genres from Wuthering Heights and Alfred Hitchock’s Rebecca to the French serial Les Vampires. The gothic horror pastiche follows an aristocratic Egyptologist, Lord Edgar, on a wild hunt for answers surrounding the death of his first wife - all with his second wife in tow.
IRMA VEP is directed by Bob McCoy and is scripted for just two actors, played at CVLT by Don Bernardo and Brian Diehl. The duo won audiences over as King Arthur and Patsy in the 2016 CVLT production of Monty Python’s Spamalot, and again this year's two-man comedy Greater Tuna on CVLT's second stage. Playing multiple roles, Bernardo and Diehl go through about thirty-five quick costume changes, helped along by numerous sound cues, props, and special effects. Jeanie Gaither is the very busy stage manager.
THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP kicks off CVLT’s 89th Season on the Main Stage, which also includes DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID Nov. 16-Dec. 16, GOODBYE CHARLIE Jan. 18-Feb. 2, THE LADIES FOURSOME May 31 – June 16, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN July 19 – Aug. 10, and an exciting contemporary Broadway musical March 22 – April 14 which will be revealed until November. CVLT's second stage, The River Street Playhouse, begins its slate of six 89th Season productions in October with Eric Coble's THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN.
Tickets are $19 with a $4 seniors/students discount. For reservations visit CVLT.org or call (440) 247-8955 between 1-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. CVLT is located at 40 River Street in historic downtown Chagrin Falls, OH.
CVLT is generously funded by Cuyahoga County residents through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture and is supported by the Ohio Arts Council. CVLT is a proud member of the American Association of Community Theatre.