Laurel, Maryland - September 21, 2009 - Prince George's County MD's only professional theatre and one of less than ten companies in the COUNTRY that focus' on women's work - Venus Theatre has left audiences visibly moved this month during the run of "Joe".  Attending one of the final four performances to see Allyson Harkey belting Madam Butterfly as Aubra, Brittany Graham trollop her way across the stage with precision and adorable defiance as Charlie, not to mention the rest of this stellar cast would be a treat for anyone.

Audiences are swept away by the true ensemble in the theatre.  Some audience members have appreciated the authentic WWII uniform from the Army Air Corp.  Other audience members have wept and come back to take the journey with us again.  Still others comment on the nontraditional staging and how it helps to move them through the story.

Debbie Jackson of DC Theatre Scene says,
"The piece is a treasured reminder of the pace and values of time gone by, with priceless snippets from Glen Miller and "The Shadow" on the radio. It offers interesting "what if" possibilities heightening and expanding our awareness of what we thought we knew.  And that's always a delightful discovery which Venus Theatre can be trusted to consistently provide."

Meet the playwright this Thursday or take some time this weekend to become a living participant in Venus theatre history!

Featuring:  Allyson Harkey as Aubra, Brittany Graham as Charlie, Christopher Herring as Joe, Dane C. Petersen as Philip, Janey Richards as Grandma, and Georgia Mae Lively as Emily.  Directed by Deborah Randall.  Set Design by Joe Musumeci.  Lighting Design my Kristen Thompson. 

Running time is approximately two and a half hours, and there is one intermission.

Allyson Harkey as Aubra, Brittney Graham as Charlie, Janey Richards as GrandMa
Photo by Lisa Helfert

 

 

Venus Theatre is a 501c3 nonprofit organization in its ninth year of existence.  Currently residing at a home space called, The Venus Theatre Play Shack in Laurel, MD, Venus has taken on four brand-new full length plays in the year 2009.  "Joe" is the third play in Venus Theatre's 2009 Retro-Classic Series.