Conservatory Theatre Presents HECUBA, Now thru 11/24

Point Park University's Conservatory Theatre Company presents a refreshingly new take on Euripides' classic Greek tragedy, Hecuba, directed by Monica Payne.

Hecuba opens tonight, Nov. 8, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 24, with a preview on Thursday, Nov. 7, in the Studio Theatre at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. Performances will be at 8 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets range from $18 to $20 and can be purchased by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412.392.8000, or at www.pittsburghplayhouse.com.

In Greek mythology, Hecuba was a queen, the wife of the King of Troy during the Trojan War, and mother of 19, many of whom became major players in The Iliad. In this fresh twist on Euripides' play, Hecuba is a tragic tale of a mother's grief and the power of revenge. Artfully reimagined, the Conservatory Theatre Company's production evokes striking images of more recent crimes against humanity.

Payne directs Hecuba, with scenic design by Jeff Fuga, costume design by Cathleen Crocker-Perry, lighting design by Cat Wilson, and sound design by StEve Shapiro. Nik Nemec is stage manager.

Payne directed The Playhouse Jr. production of Huck Finn in May. Her other directing projects include her own adaptation of The Incredible and Sad Tale of Innocent Erendira and her Heartless Grandmother by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Elektra by Euripides, Gross Sales by Erica Jones, and Natural Affection by William Inge. As an actress, Payne appeared in several productions with Steppenwolf Theatre Company and worked with many off-loop companies in Chicago, including The Hypocrites, Famous Door, The Journeymen, and the Artistic Home. She is the recipient of the James Pendleton Foundation Prize and is a member of the 2008 Lincoln Center Director's Lab, as well as the 2012 Director's Lab West in Los Angeles.