Hellas at The Broadwater Mainstage

Spanning decades, and viewed over a single day, the birth of western civilization and democracy takes form in the Greek epic, Hellas. Never before seen in Los Angeles, this sweeping, visceral stage production with a cast of twenty-three, is set in early fifth-century B.C. when a tiny, backward and disunited region faced invasion by the mightiest empire the world had ever known ... and triumphed.

The story is vast, split into two parts of compelling entertainment while encompassing the evolution of societal structures, revenge along with unlikely alliances, and an emerging system of justice. Weekend performances offer the complete saga with a dinner break, while Friday night performances offer viewing choices of Part I or Part II on alternating weeks. Hellas is a marathon theatrical epic, presented as in ancient Greece, the story over a single day.

Hellas weaves historical and compelling narratives of individual and collective struggle, illustrating both the strength and fragility of democracy. Told in verse, mask, rhythm, dance and stage combat, it is a drama exploring flawed but resilient humanity, of vendetta and great battles fought upon land and sea, of oaths and betrayals, familial trauma and struggle, friendship, loyalty, love and sacrifice. This is a tale of the invention of theatre itself by a firsthand witness and participant, the Athenian playwright Aeschylus.

Approximate run time for Part I: 2:45 (includes two intermissions); Part 2: 2:30 (includes one intermission). Saturday and Sunday performances of the Complete Saga will run 5:45 total hours including three intermissions.