by Leah Crisman, executive editor
Spring break is upon us, and what better way to revel in all those free hours than spend tonight at theater’s UIL One-Act performance? “The Trojan Women” is this year’s fare: a gripping, emotional drama brought to life by the talented actors (and backstage crew) in Tiger Theater.
For anyone not familiar with ancient Greek dramas, here’s the gist: “The Trojan Women” was written by Euripides (who, like Elvis or Beyoncé, apparently needs only one name as an identifier) in 415 BC as a social commentary on the destructive nature of war. The Trojan women in question have just suffered through the loss of their husbands, fathers and brothers at the hands of the Athenians and must suffer yet more as they are divvied up by their conquerors and sent to become slaves or concubines.
No lie: it’s some serious stuff. The entire stage is covered in zombie-apocalypse-esque loose debris and eerie red lighting. The women who rise out of the ruins wear rags and sport various cuts and bruises, but their voices are the truly unsettling part. The main characters plus the chorus make their grief known with emotional tirades against the Athenians that bring tears to the eyes of the audience.
Take an hour away from your precious spring break snoozing and television-watching allotment to see our theatre ladies (and a couple gentlemen, too) bring down the house.
Tonight’s show starts at 7 p.m. in the auditorium, and tickets are $5 at the door.
CAST
POSEIDON–Justin Guy
ATHENA–Allyn Jasperson
HECUBA–Lynnsey Lewis
TALTHYBIUS–Gabriel Munoz
CASSANDRA–Mary Elizabeth Mayer
ANDROMANCHE–Tara Lokke
MENELAUS–Brent Price
HELEN–Mary Ray
CHORUS–Grace Manuel, Molly Leach, Brianna McGillivray, Kelsey Shuttlesworth & Danielle Scott
