Review: ‘The Dreams of Antigone’ at Trinity Rep

Directed by Brian McEleney, The Dreams of Antigone is a tale of war, family turmoil and civil disobedience.

The play tells the story of Antigone (Rachel Warren), the daughter of Oedipus, yes...that Oedipus, (Joe Wilson, Jr.) who publicly disobeys her uncle, King Creon (Fred Sullivan, Jr.). Antigone's brother, Polyneices (Aaron Rossini), started a civil when their brother Eteocles (Mauro Hantman) refused to share ruling power of the kingdom of Thebes as planned. The war ends with the death of both brothers. King Creon decrees that, on penalty of death, Polyneices' body should be left on the battlefield to rot and be picked apart by wild animals. Antigone is determined, even in the face of execution, to give her brother an honorable burial.

The story has been adapted into a new play by Trinity Rep's Artistic Director Curt Columbus. The adaptation is a successful, fast-paced updating of Sophocles' story of Antigone. Unbridled political ambition is a theme that has been relevant for every one of the roughly 2,500 years since the original story was told.

Columbus possesses a tremendous talent for skillfully adapting classics for present-day audiences. The story of Antigone is compelling and engaging theater. Columbus takes the essence of the story, with its transcendent themes, and craftily molds it into a an accessible play without dumbing it down.

Once again, Brian McEleney directs the cast of his peers, beautifully. Each actor's movement and emotion is measured and means something. Directing is, in my opinion, where McEleney's greatest talent lies.

All of the actors in the production are required to give strong performances as there is not much of a line between who is a ‘principal' in the story and who is ‘supporting'. Rachel Warren give a terrific performance in the title role as do Fred Sullivan, Jr. and Joe Wilson, Jr. in their respective roles.

Phyllis Kay gives a compelling performance as Eurydice, the matriarch of the family. Stephen Thorne turns in a fine portrayal as Antigone's husband, Haemon. Angela Brazil does a fine job as Ismene, Antigone's sister. There is a scene where Ismene is ‘crazed' with grief. I think it is difficult scene to pull off, but Brazil does it just fine.

Anne Scurria, Janice Duclos and Barbara Meek each give entertaining performances in their respective roles. Aaron Rossini holds his own, in his first role at Trinity in the small but pivotal role of Polyneices.

Tristan Jeffers set is enormous, a snapshot that evokes a crumbling Parthenon, being rebuilt present-day. Utility lights are strung over crumbling columns. A multi-use table of planks over sawhorses sits in the middle of a seemingly vast, open space. The set, for all its grandeur, is, unfortunately, under-used.

The Dreams of Antigone plays through October 19 in Trinity Rep's Dowling Theater. Regular ticket prices for Trinity Rep's 45th Season are range from $20 to $60. For more information, call the box office at (401) 351-4242 or visit Trinity Rep's website at www.trinityrep.com

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