Finishing touches being applied to Eurydice before curtains open March 3

A unique production of the play, Eurydice, by Sarah Ruhl is coming to a stage near you Wednesday, March 3 through Saturday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m. in Benstead Theatre, Rodman Center for the Arts. The play portrays mythology in a contemporary setting. Eurydice falls to her death on her wedding day and is sentenced to an eternal life in the Underworld. She reunites with her father who died recently. The minions of the Lord of the Underworld, which are a fantastic chorus of animated stones, are surprised to see that Eurydice and her father have memories of their lives. Her husband, Orpheus, finds a way to get to the Underworld, hoping to take her back with him. The only catch is that he cannot look at her until they are out of the Underworld. He looks at her and they are separated for eternity. Her attempts to be with her husband have also caused her to forget her father. She will now live with no memory of her past for eternity.

There are many thoughts that go into choosing the perfect play to produce. For some the decision takes awhile but for others they know the perfect play the moment they have it in their hands. Director Robert Amsden was hesitant about choosing this play because of its popularity but after considering it for some months and studying the script, he decided to include it in this year's theatre season.

"The play also carries touching moments of the experience of loss through death or illness and it has a joyous topsy-turvy aspect to it too," says Amsden. "I thought the play could challenge the department technically and via design. In this play, the design and technical elements play strong roles in creating meaning for the audience."

Amsden's choice may have been a tough one but, it is greatly favored by the cast. There are many parts to love about the play and each person involved is able to make it a fun experience.

"There's a scene where I get to enter as a young child on a bouncy ball," says Jeff M. Davis. "If Greek tragedy always included a scene on a bouncy ball, it'd be much more fun."

Though it is not always easy to favor any great scene over another, it is much easier to enjoy the company of others while helping them grow in their theatrical skills.

"It has been fun to have production meetings," says Amsden, "and try to solve some of the technical problems the play itself presents and the technical challenges our production concept presented to us."

Eurydice has played a big role in the lives of the many people involved. The fun times are numerous and the memories are endless.

"Learning to walk on stilts [was my favorite memory]," says Davis. "It's dangerous and challenging, but looks and feels very impressive once it becomes second nature."

For the cast and crew of Eurydice, the accomplishments have been abundant. Unfortunately, no good production can happen without a few challenges, and sometimes the challenges are ones that they put upon themselves.

"With this play," says Amsden, "a special challenge we accepted was to press ourselves to create a production that might be unique in the world of Eurydice productions."

Many actors, however, have individual challenges of their own, whether it be technical difficulties or a problem with learning how to play their character to the best of their ability.

"Learning to embody a character that is at once human, supernatural, young, and old [has been my biggest challenge]," says Davis.

The challenges faced can only make the production stronger, causing an even greater impact on the audience when the play finally reaches the production stages.

"I hope the audience leaves the theatre thoroughly entertained," says Amsden, "and deeply moved and humbled by thinking what delicate, lovely and finite creatures we are."

The play has scenery designed by Professor Kenneth Hill, costumes by Professor Susan Hill and Brandi Gaspard (Sr.), lighting by Jessica Mann (Sr.) and sound by George Infantado (Sr.)



Cast

Eurydice........................Cady Cummings

Orpheus............................. Paul Steffens

Father......................... Ross R. Heintzkill

Man/Child-Lord of the Underworld............ Jeff M. Davis

Loud Stone............................Jessie Lillis

Small Stone...................Megan Richards

Big Stone.................... Elizabeth Weigler