Greek Tragedy Offers Raw Emotion
See Sophocles’ ancient and disturbing tragedy “Antigone” with fresh language and new life in a poetic and thrilling production, “Antigonick,” from Oct. 24-Nov. 1 at Westmont’s Porter Theatre.
Tickets to the Westmont College Theater production, which cost $20 for general admission and $12 for students, seniors and staff, are available for purchase at westmont.edu/boxoffice. Show times are Oct. 24-25, 30 and Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 31 at 8:30 p.m.; and Nov. 1 at 2 p.m.; all in Porter Theater.
Following last year’s productions of “The 39 Steps” and “Wind in the Willows,” director Mitchell Thomas says they felt the time was right for a play that reflects the suffering, loss and inequity many are experiencing. “Greek tragedy takes an unflinching look into the face of grief, injustice and death,” says Thomas, who directed another Greek tragedy, “Electra,” nearly a decade ago. “We recognize that our own feelings of pity and fear are not singular, but universal. We are not alone. The plays critique and lament the tragedy and injustice around us and leave us yearning for a more just, more merciful and more peaceful society and world.”
MacArthur Genius and world-renowned poet Anne Carson created “Antigonick,” a free translation of Sophocles’ classic drama. His Theban plays, “Antigone, “Oedipus Tyrannus,” and “Oedipus at Colonus” have become three of the most enduring plays in Western civilization. “It’s an honor and privilege to be wrestling with the profound ideas, text and characters each night in rehearsal,” Thomas says.
Antigone has lost two brothers, but law demands that she can only bury one. Forced to bend to the will of a dictator, she takes a stand for her beliefs, pitting morality against patriotism. Exploring love, grief, loyalty and civil disobedience, “Antigonick” chronicles the all-too-relevant battle of a righteous individual against the machine.
Mitchell welcomes musician and composer Jim Connolly to the show, who plays original live music and sound on stage during “Antigonick.”
Due to mature themes of grief and loss, Westmont Theater recommends this production for ages 14 and up.