What do you get when you combine the absolutely brilliant dark humor of the musical Little Shop of Horrors with just about any home-renovation show?
Funny you should ask…
You get the theatrical genius that is Radiant Vermin—a wickedly sharp, dark comedy by Philip Ridley that’s equal parts addictive satire and morality- questioning.
A play that, once announced as part of Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble‘s 48th season, left yours truly proverbially chomping at the bit.
Why? Because I’ve been a huge fan of Radiant Vermin for a very long time—and I can’t wait for you, dear reader, to experience it live in person in just a few short weeks.
Until then, please enjoy the official press release and trailer from BTE’s production of Radiant Vermin.
ONLY EIGHT CHANCES TO SEE RADIANT VERMIN AT THE BLOOMSBURG THEATRE ENSEMBLE
BLOOMSBURG – JANUARY 8 – Audiences will only have eight chances to see.
Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble’s upcoming production of Philip Ridley’s dark satire about the business of dream homes, Radiant Vermin directed by Nora Gair.
Radiant Vermin will run on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 PM and on Sundays at 3:00 PM between January 29th and February 8th. This pared-down production will seat audiences right on stage with the actors, enticing them to question their ideas about complicity, judgement, and desperation.
The show’s central characters, Ollie and Jill Swift (BTE Resident Artists Aaron White and Kimie Muroya 室屋季美恵) recount to the audience how they received their showroom ready home for no money at all. A government liaison, Miss Dee (BTE Resident Artist Amy Rene Byrne), personally invites the impoverished couple to participate in a new housing and economic re-development program.
They’ll get to move from their crowded apartment into a large suburban home for free in exchange for helping bring families into the neighborhood. The fine print: The dilapidated house lacks basic utilities. All renovations fall on them.
All renovations must attract other homebuyers to the area.
Discretion is mandatory. For the expectant Swifts, renovating looks like it will be an uphill battle…until an accident late one night.
The director of last season’s smash hit Misery, Nora Gair, returns to helm Radiant Vermin. The production’s creative team also includes costume designer Jennifer Lippert, lighting designer Hayley Garcia Parnell, sound designer Nick McGraw, andstage manager Heather Rummings. BTE Technical Director Gregor Gunelson will serve as prop and scenic designer.
Radiant Vermin’s run begins with the Low-Price Preview on Thursday, January 29th at 7:30 PM. All tickets are $15.00 for the preview. The production will then officially open on Friday, January 30th at 7:30 PM.
We will be posting a full review of this deliciously wicked play in the next few weeks. That and perhaps another surprise or two around the same time. Tickets for this show can be purchased online at bte.org and or at the box office.
Should you purchase them online, there will not be an option to select your seat as the audience will be seated up on stage.
See you at the theatre!