CTH Presents New Version of 'Electra,' May 24-June 24

The OBIE, Drama Desk and Lortel Award-winning Classical Theatre of Harlem will present a new version of Sophocles' Electra,  adapted and directed by CTH Artistic Director Alfred Preisser (Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death, Macbeth, King Lear).  Performances begin Thursday, May 24, at the HSA Theatre, 645 St. Nicholas Avenue. Opening night is scheduled for Thursday, May 31, and the show will run through Sunday, June 24th.

Press notes state, "Sophocles's Electra, written around 409 B.C., is based on the legend of the House of Atreus, a story which contemporary Greek audiences would have known from childhood. The major themes of this story concern retribution for crimes committed within the family of Atreus, who was Electra's grandfather. Electra's duty in the play is to avenge her father's murder, but this involves killing her own mother, another crime that will have consequences down the line. As with previous CTH adaptations of the Greek classics (Trojan Women and Medea), the Classical Theatre of Harlem's Electra will be a visceral and harrowing meditation on the costs of war.  The text is a completely new take on the story."

Electra stars Zainab Jah (Medea, Trojan Women) in the title role, and also features Trisha Jeffrey (Broadway's All Shook Up and Little Shop of Horrors), Samuel Ray Gates (Nelson at the Lion Theatre), and Petronia Paley (The Cherry Orchard at CTH). Longtime CTH performer Tracy Jack will play the leader of the Chorus, which includes Khadeejah Gray, Christina Sajous and Sandra Miller.

Electra begins performances on Thursday, May 24 and will run through Sunday, June 24th. Opening night is Thursday, May 31. The HSA Theatre is at 645 St. Nicholas Ave. (near 141st Street) in Upper Manhattan. Performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8PM and Sundays at 3PM. Tickets are $25-$45 and can be purchased by calling Smarttix at (212) 868-4444 or by visiting www.smarttix.com. For more information about The Classical Theatre of Harlem, visit their web site at www.classicaltheatreofharlem.org.