Wednesday, August 4, 2010

All-male Oedipus Rex - Aug. 20-22

Antioch College Presents A Faux-Real Theatre / Nonstop Institute Collaboration:

ALL-MALE OEDIPUS REX “EXACTLY AS SOPHOCLES INTENDED IT”

A VIBRANT RENDITION OF THE ANCIENT GREEK CLASSIC

PERFORMED OUTDOORS AT THE ANTIOCH AMPHITHEATER

Showtimes: August 20th, 21st & 22nd at 6:00 pm

With a cast of 14 that combines local Yellow Springs’ actors with Faux-Real Theatre ensemble members from New York, The Faux-Real Theatre Company brings their production of ALL-MALE OEDIPUS REX to the Antioch College Amphitheater. Utilizing the performance techniques of the ancient Greeks, Faux-Real performs a “traditional” rendition of Sophocles’ OEDIPUS REX that says “what was considered traditional 2400 years ago is cutting edge today.”

History tells us that 2400 years ago the Greeks performed in brightly colored wigs, fantastical costumes, and masks that acted as megaphones. Incorporating the colorful aesthetic of these ancient performances and utilizing a broad physical style of acting powered by live music, songs and dancing, ALL-MALE OEDIPUS REX looks beyond the “fate versus free will” interpretations of this classic, to explore the alluring underbelly of this primal text. Their heightened approach reveals what is terrifying and vital in this most tragic of tragedies, enhancing the story’s power to roil our subconscious and to awaken the heroes within. Company Director Mark Greenfield contends that he has “been contacted directly by the Ghost of Sophocles who has given him very specific instructions” and that this production is being performed “exactly as Sophocles intended.”

The show will be performed at the Antioch Amphitheater (795 Corey Street in Yellow Springs) on the nights of Friday, August 20th – Sunday, August 22nd at 6:00 PM. Who knows… maybe the ghost of Sophocles will appear as well.

Mark Greenfield (Antioch graduate, 86) is the founding Artistic Director of The Faux-Real Theatre Company, with whom he has created such shows as FUNBOX Times Square, William Shakespeare’s Haunted House and Htebcam (A Backwards Re-working of Macbeth). In addition to his work with Faux-Real, Mark was a writer for the Drew Barrymore film Whip It, and the lead actor in the Amir Naderi film VEGAS: Based on a True Story (to be released this fall). He toured the country for two-years with IMAGO the Theatre Mask Ensemble, and he played Arlecchino for five-years with the Southern Italian Commedia dell’Arte company I Giullari Di Piazza.

The OEDIPUS REX production team includes a host of Antioch Alumni including Assistant Director Alessandra DeMeo (87) Set Designer Michael Casselli (87) Mask Designer Lynda White (88) and Musician Jeff Wood (88).

Tickets for the show will be a $15 suggested donation. For reservations or for more details about the show please email fauxrealtheatre@aol.com or call 917.687.4998. Local actors interested in being in the show should use this same contact information and get in touch with the company ASAP.

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