A lesser known tragedy by the Ancient Greek playwright, Sophocles, Women of Trachis tells the story of the hero Heracles and his jealous wife, Deianeira, whose attempt to guarantee his exclusive devotion with a magic robe leads instead to his death. Contemporary playwright Kate E. Ryan brings a vibrant and humorous feminist perspective to Sophocles's story about infidelity and revenge at its goriest. Using a kitchen sink full of contemporary references (think Xanax, computer games, and pop songs from the 60s), this updated Women of Trachis explores issues that just don’t seem to want to go away: gender trouble and the consequences of loving too hard.
The Department of Theatre will host two post-show discussions: On Friday, October 27, playwright Kate E. Ryan will join the cast to talk about her contemporary take on the 5th-century BCE original tragedy. The following evening, October 28, Professor Dale Grote, coordinator of the Minor in Classical Studies at UNC Charlotte and author of The Vulgate of Mark with Synoptic Parallels, will compare Ryan's version to that of Sophocles in a conversation moderated by Professor of Theatre Mark Pizzato.
Tickets are $18, $12 (UNC Charlotte faculty, staff, and alumni), $10 (seniors, active military, and veterans), $8 (students).