A
Greek tragedy that positions human law against divine morality will be staged
by the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens
Point May 1-3 and 6-8.
“Antigone,”
written by classical Greek playwright Sophocles, will be performed in Jenkins
Theatre in UW-Stevens Point’s Noel Fine Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Friday and
Saturday, May 1-2, and Wednesday through Friday, May 6-8. A 2 p.m. matinee will
be offered Sunday, May 3.
In the
play, a civil war has just ended in the city-state of Thebes, and the king’s
two sons are dead. Their sister, Antigone (played by Kiah Fischer of Sycamore,
Ill.), sets off a tragic chain of events when she defies the new king, Creon
(played by Stephen Campbell of Cedarburg), and buries the brother who was
blamed for the war.
“This
play stands out for its debate over the right path between human law, logic and
order, and divine law and love,” said the show’s director, Assistant Professor
Jared Hanlin. “This conflict is of particular interest to me as a theater
artist, and I love exploring it on stage.”
Although
it was written in 441 B.C., the play remains relevant today with its battle of
the sexes and message of love, forgiveness and listening to the wisdom of
others, said Hanlin. “We still struggle with the basis of our decision making –
how much do we add compassion to the equation of law?”
The cast is comprised of 25 students - eight principle speaking
roles, a Greek chorus of 10 and seven supporting ensemble players. The set and costuming creates a
world that feels ancient yet personal and elegant. The staging is set forward
to immerse the audience into that world, said Hanlin.
The
student actors are diving right into this ancient play, he said. “Poetic
language can be tricky. They work on appreciating it so they can devour the
language and use it to its full potential. They are incredibly talented, and
I’m proud of the work they are doing.”
Tickets
for the show are $19 for adults, $18 for seniors, $14 for youth and $4.50 for
students with UW-Stevens Point ID. Tickets are available at the UW-Stevens
Point Information and Tickets Office, located in the Dreyfus University Center
concourse, by calling 715-346-4100 or at http://tickets.uwsp.edu.