Long Wharf Theatre Presents AN ILIAD

Long Wharf Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Jacob G. Padrón and Managing Director Joshua Borenstein, presents An Iliad, adapted from Homer by Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare, translation by Robert Fagles and directed by Whitney White, from March 20 through April 14, 2019.

Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased by calling 203-787-4282, visiting longwharf.org, or visiting the box office. Performances occur at Long Wharf Theatre, Stage II (222 Sargent Drive, New Haven, CT). The March 28 performance offers open captioning.

The cast includes Rachel Christopher (The Poet), Zdenko Martin (The Muse). The creative team includes Daniel Soule (set design), Andy Jean (costume design), Kate McGee (lighting design), Lee Kinney (sound design), Whitney White and Zdenko Martin (music), Kelly Hardy (production stage manager), Michelle Lauren Tuite (substitute production stage manager), and Calleri Casting (casting).

"It's a night of theatre where you hear ancient Greek, incorporated with Fagle's translation language, and direct address in modern English. It's the story of An Iliad in an entirely new way; it's very accessible, made for a contemporary audience" said Director Whitney White, who is also working with Martin to compose an original score for this production. "We hope to give you just enough of what feels familiar alongside a dose of something that feels different; you'll feel comfortable and invited in, but also excited by what's new. It is not a play in which two people sit on stage and only speak to each other. Just as with ancient Greek theatre, it's all about the ethos of the crowd, the play doesn't happen without the audience."

Masterfully adapted by Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare from Robert Fagle's acclaimed translation, An Iliad makes personal and intimate the telling of epic stories such as Achilles and Hector. It sharpens and refreshes Homer's Trojan War epic of why mankind cannot escape its lust for war and conflict.

"There is something to the fact we see these war stories over and over again but nothing seems change. The essence of war remains the same," Literary Manager Christine Scarfuto said. "I think what co-adaptors Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare have done is take this monolithic text and contextualize and personalize it in a way that makes the truth of the people living in this ancient world relevant and accessible to us all," Drew Gray, Associate Producer said.

For more information, visit longwharf.org or call 203-787-4282.