Mary Zimmerman's THE ODYSSEY to Run 3/16-26 at Temple

Temple Theaters presents The Odyssey, by Homer, adapted and originally directed by Mary Zimmerman, running March 16 - 26, 2016 in Temple University's Tomlinson Theater. Directed by Brandon McShaffrey, this contemporary and imaginative production breathes new life into the epic tale of a hero's arduous journey home. With a gifted team of designers and talented cast, The Odyssey is an inspired drama for the twenty-first century.

This dramatic adaptation of Homer's myth begins with a young woman (Mary Guarnieri) who is struggling to read The Odyssey. A classical muse appears, and the young woman becomes the goddess Athena, a guide for Odysseus (Guillermo Alonso) in his struggle to get home. Challenged by terrifying monsters, seductive sirens, a possessive nymph, a beautiful sorceress and a vengeful god, Odysseus attempts to return to his faithful wife Penelope (Savannah Jackson) after the Trojan War.

Critic Richard Christiansen, calls the adaptation "a smart, singular example of Mary Zimmerman's unique work in the theater -- vivid in imagery, rich in imagination, witty, and thoughtful in its lively adaptation of a classic work for a contemporary audience."

Director Brandon McShaffrey tackled this epic drama as an ensemble piece. "In the rehearsal process I am more interested in engaging the student's full artist and not just the actor portion." He adds, "Within the acting company, we have utilized their skills as composers, arrangers, instrumentalists, combatants, choreographers, dancers, researchers, dramaturgs, puppeteers - every element stems for the company - and I wouldn't have it any other way." It was also important to McShaffrey that the production design reflects the magic of the piece, stating, "I want it to feel like the artists are creating the world - crafting a design that is both: modern and ancient, personal and epic, immediate and timeless."

Brandon McShaffrey received his MFA in Directing from Temple University and has worked on a number of Temple Theaters and Temple Opera Theater productions, including The Merry Widow, Merrily We Roll Along, Hansel und Gretel and the Temple Theaters hit production of Hair. McShaffrey is also the Producing Director of Mauckingbird Theater Company where he directed last year's Hot'n'Cole. In addition to teaching at Temple and Drexel University, he has worked regionally as a director and choreographer at Hedgerow Theatre, Act II Playhouse, Drexel and others.

Temple Theaters' season concludes with Godspell, directed by Amina Robinson, April 13 - 24, 2016. Located on the northern edge of the Avenue of the Arts, Temple Theaters, the production program of the Department of Theater, has established itself as one of the finest nationally-ranked theater training programs in the nation.

Photo by Joseph Labolito

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