METAMORPHOSES Set for CU-Boulder's University Theatre, 4/11-19

Mary Zimmerman's Tony Award-winning play, "Metamorphoses," is proof that Ovid's ancient Greek and Roman myths resonate with meaning literally millennia after their creation.

"These tales are so old, yet their ideas have been passed on," says Kevin Crowe, who will direct a new production of "Metamorphoses" April 11-19 at CU-Boulder's University Theatre.

Zimmerman's adaptation of Ovid's classic delves into the creation of the world, the tragic story of King Midas' "golden touch," Narcissus' fascination with himself, Phaedon's complaints-in a contemporary comic twist, to his therapist-about his father Apollo, and many more tales.

"There is a very modern approach to some of the stories, while some are more classical," Crowe says. "Some are poetic, while others are comic or romantic."

The theme of transformation and change is reflected in the fluidity of water in a centrally placed onstage pool, where the scenes take place. The water becomes everything from a swimming pool to a basin, the River Styx on the borders of Hades to the Mediterranean Sea and the mirror that reflects Narcissus' face.

"Hydro-architect" Jim Doyle, a CU-Boulder alumnus and director of Los Angeles-based WET Design, designed the watery set-which will necessitate a "splash zone" in the first three rows.

Doyle has worked with Cirque du Soleil, University Studios, several Las Vegas hotels and recently returned from Sochi, Russia, where WET designed "The Waters of the Olympic Park" fountain for the 2014 winter games. He also has produced and directed more than 100 music videos and television commercials.

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