Clear Space Launches First Spring Repertory
with Dear Evan Hansen (Opening May 1) and The Legend of Georgia McBride (Opening May 4)
As part of its on-going program expansions, Clear Space Theatre Company features two productions this May: Dear Evan Hansen, the Tony Award winning musical with a powerful message, and The Legend of Georgia McBride, a daring comedy by Tony Award winning playwright Matthew Lopez. Starting May 1, with the opening of Dear Evan Hansen, there will be performances every day of the week through Memorial Day weekend, with Dear Evan Hansen running most Thursdays through Sundays and The Legend of Georgia McBride running Mondays through Wednesdays. This new spring repertory supplements Clear Space’s existing three musical summer repertory, which opens June 23 and continues through Labor Day weekend.
Tony Award winner for best musical, Dear Evan Hansen makes its regional premiere with this production. Written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (The Greatest Showman, La La Land, Smash), the musical evokes the ecstasy and the agony that comes with finally being seen. In the story, an unexpected lie spirals out of control, leaving Evan - a high schooler with anxiety who is desperate to belong - at a crossroads. Can he learn to speak up, reach out, and still hold on to himself? Or is believing you can be who you want to be better than just being who you actually are? For a generation of audiences, this musical has become more than just great theater, but a lifeline, a mirror, and a reminder that no matter the circumstances, none of us are alone.
Clear Space continues its Clear Space Gives Back program during Dear Evan Hansen with a special fundraising performance in support of Children’s Beach House, an area non-profit that seeks to help all children reach their highest potential, on Saturday, May 9 at 2pm. 50% of single-ticket purchases to this performance will be donated back to Children’s Beach House. A light reception will follow the show, giving patrons the opportunity to learn more about their organization.
The Legend of Georgia McBride opens Monday, May 4, and is a hilarious and heartfelt story of transformation and self-discovery. When Casey, an Elvis impersonator at a small-town run-down Florida bar, finds himself out of work, out of luck, and with a baby on the way, he’s forced to trade in his blue suede shoes for wigs, heels, and a whole lot of padding. Tony Award winner Matthew Lopez (The Inheritance, Some Like It Hot, Red White and Royal Blue) crafts a daring comedy about finding your voice - even if it comes with a whole new wardrobe - and a new chosen family ready to embrace the fact that a drag queen can be both fabulous and straight.
Dear Evan Hansen marks Clear Space Managing Director’s first production as a stage director at Clear Space, after previously directing dozens of regional and world premieres in Boston, Atlanta, and St. Louis. Joe is joined by music director David Libby (42nd Street at Clear Space) and choreographer Mark Lenard (Oklahoma! and My Fair Lady at Clear Space). The Legend of Georgia McBride is directed by acclaimed Rehoboth Beach comedian, director, and author Fay Jacobs in her Clear Space debut. The two productions feature returns from several popular past Clear Space performers, including Larry Munsey, Christina Sophia, Rick Nazzaro, Eryk Bluto, Sarah Rose, Nancy Curry, and Joseph DiBiase, as well as debuts from Hunter McCauley, Johnny Doty, Mia Goodman, Cameren Evans, Jordan Kilgore, and Eric Peterson. Travis George (Live at Lincoln Center, Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre, Chester Theatre) designs the repertory set, Brendan Smith designs lights, D. Justin Jewell designs sound, Tennessee Dixon designs projections, and Mary Beth Powell and Christopher Decker design costumes.
Both productions center identity, belonging, and transformation. Across both productions, audiences are invited to engage with similar core questions from entirely different angles: who we are, who we pretend to be, and how we ultimately find authenticity. The pairing creates an experience for audiences who see both that is as entertaining as it is meaningful.
All performances are held on the mainstage at Clear Space Theatre Company, at 20 Baltimore Avenue in Rehoboth Beach. Tickets are available online at clearspacetheatre.org, by phone at (302) 227-2270, or in person at the box office between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. All productions in Clear Space’s 2026 season are currently on sale. Given Clear Space’s consistent track record of sold out productions, audiences are encouraged to secure tickets to other 2026 productions when booking tickets to Dear Evan Hansen and/or The Legend of Georgia McBride.
