The Contemporary Theater Company presents AN ILIAD
The Iliad and The Odyssey, attributed to Homer, are among the oldest stories we have. Their tales are timeless - how war tears us apart, and the difficulty of putting life together after. An Iliad, Homer's work brought to life by a modern storyteller in a one-man show, brings the Greeks and Romans to the stage of the Contemporary Theater Company this fall.
In An Iliad by Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare, a modern storyteller relays this classic. A strong anti-war message is at the heart of this play, performed by a single actor and a musician - the muse. Matt Fraza takes on this tour-de-force role, which he has played before.
"I first saw An Iliad when I took a group of students to the premiere in 2010," says Communications Director Maggie Cady. "I fell in love with it then, and I'm so excited that we're bringing it to our audience now."
The previews for the production, Fridays September 8 - 29 at 7 pm, will be staged on the Contemporary Theater Company's outdoor performance patio. Fraza has performed and directed for the Shakespeare on the Saugatucket series on the patio and feels very comfortable with the intimate yet open space. These previews will be Pay-What-You-Can.
"The gardens stay beautiful throughout the fall, but our patio season had ended in August before," says Cady. "This show is perfect for the patio because the audience is so close to the actor that it feels like Matt is telling the story directly to you."
In October, An Iliad moves indoors as part of the Contemporary Theater Company's mainstage season. The set is described as "an empty stage," a perfect fit for the black box theater.
"It's a beautiful play with a strong message," says Cady. "An epic story in just an hour and a half."
Tickets for performances and more information about the company are available online at www.contemporarytheatercompany.com or by calling 401-218-0282. Previews on the performance patio - Sept 8, 15, 22, 29 at 7 pm. Performances in the Theater: Oct 5-6, 12-13, 26-27 at 7 pm
|
Mamma Mia! - In Concert NK Town Beach Bandshell (8/15-8/15) |
|
FirstWorks Summer Beats Concerts: The GroovaLottos Roger Williams Park Boathouse Lawn (7/24-7/24) |
|
Bell, Book and Candle The Arctic Playhouse (8/27-9/13) |
|
Art The Little Theater Of Fall River (8/20-8/30) |
|
Deathtrap The Little Theater Of Fall River (10/15-10/25) |
|
FirstWorks Summer Beats Concerts: Pedro Pastor 195 District Park (8/14-8/14) |
|
Irving Berlin's White Christmas The Little Theater Of Fall River (12/03-12/13) |
|
Carmen Ballet RI (5/25-5/27) |
|
Gunhild Carling at Stadium Theater Stadium Theater (9/11-9/11) |
|
PVDFest Downtown Providence (9/18-9/19) |