Gorilla Theatre to Open 2014 Season With AN ILIAD, 1/10

Gorilla Theatre will present AN ILIAD, by Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare, Adapted from Homer's "The Iliad", translated by Robert Fagles. Opening January 10 at the Springs Theatre, 8029 N. Nebraska Avenue in Tampa. 8 pm. and running through February 2, with performances at the Firehouse Cultural Center in Ruskin Jan 17-19.

Homer's epic story of war, honor, violence and the Greek siege of the city of Troy is brought to life by a mysterious, time and care-worn Poet who is compelled to tell this story, to connect with the modern audience, in the shadow of modern wars.

"Every time I sing this song, I hope it's the last time."

AN ILIAD brings to life the gods, the warriors, the fathers, and the women in Homer's sweeping epic. Using an original and immediate voice, and modern analogies, the Poet recounts humanity's tendencies toward petty anger, violence, destruction and chaos. Has anything really changed since the Trojan War?

AN ILIAD is directed by Ami Sallee, and features actor Brendan Ragan as The Poet. Ragan is a graduate of ASOLO Conservatory and was recently seen in Venus in Fur at Stageworks in Tampa. Sallee is a four-time Creative Loafing "Best of the Bay" winner for directing and acting. Former Managing Director for Jobsite Theater and Recent Theater Department Chair for the Patel Conservatory, where she currently teaches.

GORILLA THEATRE at THE SPRINGS: For 23 years, Gorilla Theatre has presented excellent, provocative, entertaining theatre to audiences in the Tampa Bay area. After leaving its Drew park home in 2011, the theatre has worked in different venues, most recently a show at Unity of Tampa, with whom they have an ongoing venue. The Springs Theatre was home to the very successful "The Whipping Man," in 2012, and provides an eclectic, intimate space for larger productions.

GORILLA THEATRE presents AN ILIAD, by Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare, adapted from Homer's The Iliad, translated by Robert Fagles, running January 10-12, 23-26 and 30-February 2, 2014. Schedule: Evenings at 8 pm, Sundays at 3 pm at the Springs Theatre, 8029 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, FL 33604 and January 17-19 at the Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 NE 1st Ave., Ruskin, FL 33540.

Tickets: General Admission $25, Seniors/students/military $20. More Information or Group Sales, call 813-879-2914. Purchase on line www.gorillatheatre.com. Tickets and Information for the Firehouse Cultural Center: www.firehouseculturalcenter.org or call 813-645-7651.