PORT ANGELES — “The Elephant Man,” on tonight and closing this weekend, is one of the best shows the Port Angeles Community Players have done in years, yet few are getting to see it, said Players board member Barbara Frederick.
“Elephant,” starring Sean Peck-Collier as John Merrick, has its last specially priced performance at 7:30 tonight at the Port Angeles Community Playhouse, 1235 E. Lauridsen Blvd.
Tickets are $6 at the door for festival seating, or if patrons prefer reserved seats, those tickets are $12 in advance at Odyssey Books, 114 E. Front St.
The story of Merrick, a severely deformed young man rescued from a circus sideshow, has theater veteran Ron Graham as its director and Anna Andersen, Josh McLean and Sarah Tucker in the supporting cast.
“Without elaborate makeup, Peck-Collier transforms himself,” noted Mary-Alice Boulter of Port Angeles, who saw “Elephant” Friday night.
His performance, she added, “is an exceptional feat of skill.”
Sadly, Merrick was reviled as a “freak,” added Graham — but he was a man with “one of the most beautiful souls.”
Tucker, who portrays two characters — a sideshow performer as well as the Duchess who visits Merrick at the London Hospital — said this version is far more similar to the stage play, currently on Broadway with Bradley Cooper in the lead, rather than David Lynch’s 1980 movie.
“Our audiences so far have been small and composed of theater fancy-pants people,” Tucker quipped, “and they have absolutely raved about the production.”
The final three shows will come to the playhouse at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, with tickets at $12 for adults and $6 for students.
The play contains mature themes. For more information, visit PACommunityPlayers.com or phone 360-452-6651.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.