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Monmouth College to perform Euripedes’ ‘The Trojan Women’
Release Date: March 3, 2005
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| Husband and wife Menelaus
(Charley Pippenger) and Helen (Ashleigh Tweed) appear in a scene from
Euripides' "The Trojan Women," which will be performed at Monmouth
College March 17-20 in Wells Theater. |
MONMOUTH, Ill. -- Monmouth College
will conclude its 79th theater season with performances of
Euripides’ classic Greek tragedy, “The Trojan Women,” on March 17-19
at 7:30 p.m., and March 20 at 2 p.m. in the Wells Theater.
Though many are familiar with the story of the Trojan War (most
recently presented in the movie blockbuster “Troy”), the play picks
up after the war is over when audiences are introduced to a band of
women waiting to hear their future – a future without husbands or
children, a future of slavery to the Greeks.
The Trojan women are observed as they question why they have been
put into this situation, why the Gods have left them without
protection and why such a seemingly civilized society as the Greeks
is capable of such atrocities.
If the future of the Trojan women is bleak, it is met with
determination, passion and even a bit of humor, says director Bill
Wallace, professor of communication and theater arts. “The show is
surprisingly energetic,” said Wallace, who points out that “even
though the play was written over 2,500 years ago, the emotions are
clear and the range of actions strikes a chord with today’s
audience.”
Wallace adds that “theater-goers should recognize parallels to
contemporary society, and the decisions made by the characters in
the play mirror those of all civilizations: how do we respond to
pain and suffering, how do we treat each other as human beings?”
Euripides was one of the three great tragedians of classical Athens,
along with Aeschylus and Sophocles. He was the youngest of the three
and was born c. 480 BC. The Greek dramatist is thought to have
authored an estimated 90 plays during his lifetime. From his plays,
it is apparent that he was skeptical of Greek religion and was aware
of intellectual movements of his time, such as the Sophists. He
reshaped the formal structure of traditional Attic tragedy by
showing strong women characters and smart slaves, and by debunking
many heroes of Greek myths.
The Monmouth College production features a cast of 28, and includes
Ellen Ehrenhart, Springfield, as Hecuba, Queen of Troy; Tiela Halpin,
Lansing, as Cassandra, her daughter; Anna Prohaska, Chicago, as
Andromache, the wife of Hector; Ashleigh Tweed, Monmouth, as Helen;
Charley Pippenger, Hawthorn Woods, as Helen’s husband, Menelaus;
Chris Walljasper, Donnellson, Iowa, as the Greek herald, Talthybius;
Bryan Blanks, Kewanee, as the god, Poseidon; and Malory Payne,
Oregon, as the goddess, Athena.
Serving as scene and lighting designer is Sarah Myers, lecturer in
communication and theater arts. Tim Holmes, costume shop supervisor,
is the costume designer. Michelle Anstett, Peoria; Greg Malak,
Orland Park; and Sarah Marie Warren, Quincy, are assistant
directors.
Tickets for “The Trojan Women” are $4 for Monmouth College students,
faculty and staff; $5 for other students and senior citizens and $6
for adults. Tickets can be reserved by contacting Wallace at
309-457-2374 or online at billw@monm.edu.
Released
by the Office of College Communications
Barry McNamara, Associate Director of College Communications
Phone: 309-457-2117
Fax: 309-457-2330
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