The production, which runs through Dec. 20, comprises four short one-acts by American playwright Nigro: Fair Rosamund and Her Murderer, The Sin Eater, Something in the Basement and Wonders of the Invisible World Revealed. Shawn Renfro directs.
Joining Pelphrey onstage are Kate Russell, Jonathan Karp, Samantha Ivers, Katya Campbell and Dennis Flanagan.
In a recent statement Dennis Flanagan, co-artistic director of Apothecary Theater Company, said, "We are thrilled to have Tom Pelphrey in our company, and I can honestly say that about every actor we have in Apothecary. Tom is a friend of ours from Rutgers, where our company was formed. Nigro's works have been a constant in our theatre background at Rutgers University. As a company we get to explore his beautiful language, his incredibly well balanced humor and the darkness in his plays. If our audiences aren't familiar with Nigro, they're in for a treat."
Director Renfro added, "All of the plays will be performed in the same evening [and] the evening will highlight how Nigro is able to capture a sense of humor that turns dark in his plays and unveil a style of writing that unravels quite fluidly unlike most playwrights."
Fair Rosamund and Her Murderer, according to press notes, is a "humorous look at an X-rated fairytale about capture, rapture and sex." The Sin Eater is described as a "comic twist on necrophilia and true love. Something in the Basement explores "what happens when a husband and wife discover the consequences of fear and loathing in the bedroom." And, Wonders of the Invisible World Revealed concerns "an encounter between two people, filled with self hate, irony and deceit and the possibility of being invisible in the Real World." The production features lighting design by Jerome Hoppe and sound design by Lou Albruzzese. Dennis Flanagan produces.
Show times are Tuesday-Saturday at 8 PM and Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM.
Theatre 54 is located in Manhattan at 244 West 54th Street. For tickets, priced $10 (previews) and $15 (Dec. 11 and on), call (212) 868-4444 or visit www.smarttix.com.
For more information go to www.apothecarytheatrecompany.org.
