Clear Space and Beebe partner to present ‘Wit’ opening Sept. 22

Sponsored by Beebe Healthcare, "Wit" will open Friday, Sept. 22, at Clear Space Theatre in Rehoboth Beach. Margaret Edson's 1999 Pulitzer Prize-winning one-act play focuses on university professor Vivian Bearing, who is dying of ovarian cancer. An expert on the poet John Donne, Bearing is childless and has no immediate family. She muses on her life and life's work with both wisdom and humor during her final hours.

Judith Ramirez, manager of oncology population health at Beebe's Tunnell Cancer Center, said, "I was fortunate enough to see this play off Broadway, with Judith Light in the lead. It is a deeply affecting show, speaking to our humanity and our desire to have a good death through having lived a good life. It so movingly reveals the value derived from living the best life each of us can, and reminds us to recognize the humanity in each of us: To open our hearts, to see more similarities than differences, and to use our resources and relationships well and wisely."

Ramirez said, "September is ovarian cancer awareness month, and this play is a wonderful way to promote that awareness. Following the Saturday, Sept. 29 performance, Beebe will play a role in raising awareness: Several Beebe staff will be at the theater to interact with the audience, providing information and responding to questions. We also want to assure people are aware of the Mary Jane Lockard Endowment for the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer - a resource we at Beebe can help them to explore."

Speaking to Beebe's decision to sponsor this production of "Wit," Thomas Protack, vice president of development at Beebe Medical Foundation, said, "Beebe Healthcare partners with many other local nonprofits which provide education for health and wellness. In the past, Beebe Healthcare has worked closely with Clear Space Theatre on other productions that raise awareness around maintaining a healthy lifestyle, particularly encouraging early and often screenings for cancer. Beebe is happy to be a community partner and sponsor with the production of ‘Wit.’ Our award-winning Tunnell Cancer Center continues to expand and educate our growing community regarding how ovarian cancer is very important."

WIT runs weekends from Friday, Sept. 22 to Sunday, Oct. 8, with Friday and Saturday performances at 7 p.m. and Sunday performances at 3 p.m. Tickets for all shows are $17-$32. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to www.clearspacetheatre.org, or call 302-227-2270.