Athena (senior Serena Wright) and Telemachus (junior Joshua Deville) address the royal family of Troy: Helen (sophomore Hannah Shope), Meneleus (junior Clint Page), and their daughter Naussica (sophomore Virginia Lentz).
Lee University will continue the 2015-16 season with its production of “The Odyssey” on Feb. 12-13 and Feb. 18-20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Buzz Oates Black Box Theatre.
“This is a new adaptation of the ancient story, so the language is accessible and easily understandable,” said Dan Buck, assistant professor of theatre and director of the play. “There are sea monsters, seductive goddesses, a cranky Cyclops, and, at its heart, a broken family trying desperately to come back together. It’s an adventure and a moving drama as well.”
“The Odyssey,” written by Mary Zimmerman, is a dramatic interpretation of Homer’s myth. A young prince’s father has not returned from the war and many assume he is dead. Suitors have been invading their home, trying to win his mother’s hand. Something must be done. Athena, a Greek goddess, intervenes to reunite the father and son and to help restore order in their land.
“In Zimmerman’s adaptation of ‘The Odyssey,’ we get to see one of the world’s first epic journeys portrayed through dialogue and a little stage magic,” said Mr. Buck.
The play includes a variety of mythical characters, such as Odysseus, portrayed by Cody Glover, and Athena, portrayed by Serena Wright. Many members of the cast will perform multiple roles throughout the production.
“I have made a few choices that make this a unique production for Lee,” said Mr. Buck. “For one, I have decided to put the entire play in a large sandbox. It’s a fun, but labor-intensive idea, and I’m thrilled to have a design and tech team who are willing to help with the heavy lifting of a choice like that.”
A sign language interpreter will be at the Thursday, Feb. 18, performance to interpret for the hearing impaired.
Tickets will be available beginning Monday, Feb. 1, at the box office located in the Communication Arts Building Monday through Friday, 3-6 p.m., and one hour prior to each show. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children, seniors, and students. You can reach the box office by calling 614-8360.
For more information about the play or the theatre program at Lee, visit www.leeuniversity/edu/theatre. Fans may also follow Lee University Theatre on Facebook.