Kimberley Mead and Xander Slay-Tamkin. Photo by Tony Spielberg.
SEASON 20 | FEBRUARY 2008
Troades: The Women of Troy
Adaptation by Susan Estelle Kelso
Directed by Bonnie Cullum
Presented by the VORTEX
View photos from the production here.
“Troades makes a statement about the possibility for simultaneous unity and diversity of women, while underscoring the horror of war.”
2500 years after Euripides wrote his anti-war tragedy Troades, giving voice to the silent suffering of women ravaged by war, bloody struggles for power and resources rage on in our "modern" world. The reasons and justifications for war, its cost of life and lives are tragically repeated throughout history. Now as then, Troades engages us by exploring the causes and excuses for war, and the fruitless consequences for vanquished and victor.
Troades (Greek for The Trojan Women) is the legend of the women of Troy at the conclusion of the war. Having spent 10 years laying siege to the city of Troy, the Greeks resorted to the trick of the "Trojan Horse" in whose belly soldiers hid; emerging at night to slaughter the Trojans and win the war. Now the survivors, the women of Troy, discover that endings are often beginnings.
Rooted in the form of ancient Greek tragedy, Troades remains a hauntingly beautiful and tragically poignant story. The VORTEX breaks ground to change the Chorus into individuals who tell not only Troy's story but one of their own existence. Ms.Kelso's translation takes quotes from inspirational men and women such as Jefferson and Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper as a reminder that this story is part of our past and present.
CAST
Ashley Edwards, Content Love Knowles, Betsy McCann, Emerald Mystiek, Kira Parra, Mindy Rast, Leigh Shaw as THE TROADES; Patricia Wappner as HEKABE, Eric Porter as TALTHYBIOS, Kimberley Mead as ANDROMACHE, Xander Slay-Tamkin as ASTYANIX, Gabriel Maldonado as MELENEUS, Traci Laird as HELENE, Wendy Goodwin as CASSANDRA; Andy Agne, Jonathan Blackwell, and Christopher Lee Daniels as GREEK SOLDIERS.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Adapted and Directed by Bonnie Cullum; Text by Susan Kelso; Original Choral Music by Sean O’Malley; Musical Director: Joe England; Choral Direction by Michael McKelvey; Live Music by Joe England, Jeremy Herring, Tom Nicolazzo; Scenic Design by Ann Marie Gordon. Lighting Design by Jason Amato; Costume Design by Talena Martinez; Publicity Photo by Tony Spielberg. Production Photos by Kimberley Mead.
AWARDS
B. Iden Payne Awards:
Best Production
Best Director: Bonnie Cullum; Best Lighting: Jason Amato
Ensemble Performance Chorus
B. Iden Payne Nominations
Featured Actress: Wendy Goodwin
Music Direction: Joe England and Michael McKelvey
Best Original Score: Sean T.C. O'Malley.
Euripides (480 BC–406 BC)
"Euripides never ignored an opportunity to say what Athenians did not wish to hear."
Trojan Women is considered an anti-war commentary on the capture of island of Melos and the slaughter and subjugation of its populace in 415 b.c., the same year the play premiered.
Euripides focused on the realism of his characters, focusing on the inner lives and motives of his characters in a way previously unknown to Greek audiences. He had a modern attitude and profound insight into psychology. That is what made him such a great Greek tragic playwright. Other plays by Euripides include: Orestes, Hecuba, Medea, Electra, Andromache, and The Bacchae.
Greek stories are a woven tapestry of history, myth, commentary, legend, and story. Their family lines and connections put most modern Soap Operas to shame. We recommend brushing up on some Trojan War history to slip into the world of Troy and appreciate the nuances and twists that are exposed in this telling of the Troades - one of the greatest anti-war plays ever written.