Penfold and Austin Scottish Rite Give Austin Twist to Homer's Epic War Story, AN ILIAD

Penfold Theatre Co. and Austin Scottish Rite Theater present An Iliad at Austin Scottish Rite Theater February 16-26.

"Every time I sing this song, I hope it's the last time," says the Poet as she digs deep to sing an epic story of war, honor, love, violence and the Greek siege of Troy. She's told her story for centuries, conjuring the heroes and battles for different cultures and eras. Now, in the shadow of war in Afghanistan and Syria, she unleashes the story's power for a modern audience.

Homer's tale has never been more engaging than in this tour-de-force solo performance starring Austin powerhouse Cami Alys. Adapted from Robert Fagles' revelatory translation and underscored with original music by local Austin composer Seth Osborn, An Iliad conjures the grandeur of legendary events that have captured the western imagination for millennia with an intimacy that makes the story searingly immediate and relevant.

After debuting at Seattle Rep in 2010, An Iliad has collected praise from audiences around the country. This production will be An Iliad's Central Texas premiere and marks the first partnership between Penfold Theatre Company and Austin Scottish Rite Theater.

"Nathan and I have had our eye on this piece for several years," says Penfold's Producing Artistic Director, Ryan Crowder. "The real impetus to produce it, however, was connecting with Seth Osborn, whom we knew from his work with the band Tiny Tin Hearts. When Seth signed on to do an original score, we knew we had something special. And now partnering with Susan Gayle Todd at the Scottish Rite - I couldn't think of a better setting for a piece that straddles the very old and the very now."

IF YOU GO:

Penfold Theatre Company and Austin Scottish Rite Theater present

An Iliad

By Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare

Based on Homer's "The Iliad", translated by Robert Fagles

Directed by Nathan Jerkins

Featuring Cami Alys

Austin Scottish Rite Theater, 207 W 18th Street, Austin, TX 78701

February 16-26, 2017 (8 performances only!)

Regular admission $20, Students and seniors (65+) $18

Showtimes, tickets and information available at www.penfoldtheatre.org.

Penfold Theatre Company cultivates a love for live theatre in northern Travis and Williamson Counties by offering first-class, professional theatre performances and education programs. 2016-17 is the company's ninth season and features a variety of work from cherished classics to an Austin premiere: An It's a Wonderful Life Classic Radiocast (Dec 2016), An Iliad (Feb 2017) and Around the World in 80 Days (Jun 2017).