FAUSTUS Continues Through 8/10 at Archway Theatre

The classic tale of the learned doctor who sells his soul to the devil to achieve immeasurable powers will get a reworking of dark and eerie proportions when the Archway Theatre presents "Faustus," through Aug. 10 at the Downtown LA Arts District theater.

"This story is a timeless tale that captures the imagination, and examines the darkest sides of the human condition," said Steven Sabel, artistic director.

Sabel has reworked the script from Christopher Marlowe's 16th century version to include a darker set of scenes depicting Faustus' descent into the evil deeds that he must perform in fulfillment of his blood pact with Lucifer.

"Our modern understanding of who and what the devil is has advanced so far beyond what Renaissance audiences expected, that we knew we had to fill the story with heinous actions and wicked crimes," Sabel said.

The adapted script includes Faustus' contract with the devil in order to obtain the service of his minion, Mephistophilis, who conjures forth the Seven Deadly Sins to serve as Faustus' servants in corrupting the souls of others. Each of the sins is represented by a sultry temptress who embodies the essence of their deadly trait, and seduces mortals into unthinkable behaviors.

"The Seven Deadly Sins are a constant presence in this production who lead us chorus-like through the story into deeper realms of corruption in every scene," said Sabel.

William Reinbold leads the cast in the title role of the educated man who turns to necromancy to fulfill his desires. Reinbold is a graduate of So. Dakota State University who has appeared in productions at the Californian Institute for the Arts and Theatricum Botanicum. Annie Freeman appears at his side as the evil Mephistophilis, conjured forth to do Faustus' evil bidding. Freeman's credits include appearances with Vesper Theatre, Odyssey Theatre, Theatricum Botanicum, Redlands Shakespeare Festival, and ZJU Theatre Group, where she performed in the title role of a critically acclaimed production of "The Trial of Lizzie Borden."

"We felt that it was important that Mephistophilis and the Seven Deadly Sins appear in female shapes that would be appealing and tempting to Faustus in ways that adds a layer of sexual intensity to the story," Sabel said.

The Archway Theatre, 305 S. Hewitt St., Los Angeles, is in the heart of the Downtown LA Arts District, surrounded by popular eating establishments, including Eat.Drink.Americano, District Barbecue, Nola's, Novel Café, The Pie Hole, Wurstkuche, and Zip Fusion. The new performance venue is also just a short distance from Angel City Brewing, Senor Fish, Urth Café, Villains Tavern, and Weiland Brewery.

Performances of "Faustus" will be held 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $18 general admission.