USM Theatre Presents EURYDICE RISING In Theatre, Opera, And Dance

The work is a journey of love, loss, and creative expression that exceeds the bounds of life and death, presence and absence.

THE CHRISTMAS BRIDE in Concert Comes Maine in July

The University of Southern Maine Department of Theatre, in collaboration with the Osher School of Music, presents a dynamic reimagining of one of ancient Greece's most iconic myths in theatre, opera, and dance. Eurydice Rising pulls from a diverse body of work surrounding Orpheus's journey into the underworld to be reunited with his young bride, Eurydice. It is a journey of love, loss, and creative expression that exceeds the bounds of life and death, presence and absence.

Audiences will experience a telling of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice that weaves together spoken word, music, and movement. For director Rachel Price Cooper, who also wrote the script, the collaboration with assistant director Malinda Hasslett, choreographer Jessie Laurita-Spanglet, and musical director Scott Wheatley, all faculty at USM, has been extremely rewarding. "This was a very different, organic, collaborative process where we're using myth as a springboard to create something new. It's a story about the cycle of life, death, and grief as experiences that touch us all. The Eurydice/Orpheus story is kind of an Everyman narrative in that way. It allows us to flirt with the very human fantasy that we might triumph over death."

For choreographer Jessie Laurita-Spanglet, starting from nothing but a myth and the mediums of theatre, opera, and dance has been the most exciting part, " When we first started having conversations about this work, none of us were sure of what it would look like. Once we got in the rehearsal room with the students and began exploring the myth of Orpeous and Eurydice, the play began to reveal itself to us. I love the overlaying of live opera music with dialogue and movement to tell an old story in a new way, to create an otherworldly theatrical experience. "

Price Cooper is excited for audiences to experience Eurydice Rising."It has something for everyone. There's a range of beautiful musical selections, from Gluck to Sara Barielles. The story is extremely accessible, and there is some beautiful dance and amazing visual aspects in play. It will be a feast for the senses. It will also let us meditate a little bit on this beautiful story of loss and resilience."

Eurydice Rising runs April 4-8, 2023. All performances take place on the USM Gorham campus in Russell Hall.

This show is recommended for ages 10 and up. To purchase tickets, or for more information, visit USM Theatre online at Click Here, or call the USM Theatre Box Office at (207) 780-5151. For more information on USM's Department of Theatre events and programs, click Click Here.

Eurydice Rising

Directed by Rachel Price Cooper Assistant Direction by Malinda Haslett Musical Direction by Scott Wheatley Choreography by Jessie Laurita-Spanglet

April 4th at 7:30pm
April 5th at 7:30pm
April 6th at 7:30pm
April 7th at 10:00am and 7:30pm
April 8th at 2:00pm

School & Community Group Matinee: USM Department of Theatre offers a special school and community group matinee on Friday, April 7th at 10:00 am. To bring your school or class to the school matinee, contact Audiences Services & Outreach Coordinator, Janice Gardner at janice.gardner@maine.edu.

Ticket Prices

$16 for Adults

$12 for Seniors, USM Faculty, Staff, and Alumni

$8 for Students/Youth

Discount Wednesday: Discounted tickets available for all

Those needing special accommodations to participate fully in this program, contact Janice Gardner at (207)780-5289 or janice.gardner@maine.edu. Hearing impaired: call USM's telex / TDD number (207)780-5646.




RELATED STORIES - Maine

BANANA Comes to PortFringe

Is he human? Or is he banana? Join Michael Galligan ('...of considerable wit and guile,' says The List) as he transforms into the one and only Banana Man, trapped in a box with just one hour before he ripens. Experience an unforgettable performance that blends burlesque, stand-up, dance, physical comedy, singing, magic, and more. With plenty of audience participation, this show will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end and wondering what it means to be put in a box.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC Comes to Ogunquit Playhouse in November

The Music Hall will be alive with The Sound of Music this holiday season when the Ogunquit Playhouse presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s beloved musical, November 29-December 17, at The Music Hall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 

THE CHRISTMAS BRIDE in Concert Comes Maine in July

Snowlion Repertory Company will present a CHRISTMAS IN JULY celebration by bringing The Christmas Bride in Concert for three performances to three well-known performing venues in Maine. This two-hour concert version of the timeless classic musical romance (based on a Charles Dickens short story) will perform July 8 at 7 pm at Meetinghouse Arts in Freeport; July 9 at 3 pm at St Lawrence Arts in Portland; and July 11 at 7 pm at the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor.

PortFringe Returns in June

PortFringe - Maine’s Fringe Festival  will present their 11th annual summer event  from June 1-9, 2023, including  more than 75 genre-defying performances and special events at venues throughout Portland's East Bayside neighborhood. 


Videos


#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Piano Men - The Music of Elton and Billy
Deertrees Theatre (7/29-7/29)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Opera Maine To Stage Comic Opera Cinderella
Merrill Auditorium (7/27-7/30)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# An Evening at Dave's Sauna
Deertrees Theatre (8/04-8/05)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Susie Pepper Sings Carole and Bonnie
Deertrees Theatre (8/18-8/18)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Something Rotten!
Maine State Music Theatre (8/09-8/26)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Circle Mirror Transformation
Cyrus Pavilion Theatre (6/02-6/11)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Titanic
Maine State Music Theatre (6/07-6/24)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Rock of Ages
Waterville Opera House (6/16-6/25)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Cinderella (La Cenerentola)
Merrill Auditorium (7/27-7/30)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# THE AHAB INSIDE ME—Redux
Colonial Theater (7/19-7/23)
VIEW ALL SHOWS  ADD A SHOW  

Recommended For You