Gorilla Rep to Bring THE BACCHAE to Central Park This Summer

Summer is finally here and every New Yorker knows they can get their yearly fill of free summer theater from Gorilla Rep. Gorilla Rep, renown for its annual Free performances of Shakespeare, will be changing it up this year to present The Bacchae for summer 2016. The Bacchae can be seen as it was intended, immersed in nature, at the Summit Rock in Central Park, beginning July 14 - every Thursday through Sunday - for a four-week showcase running through August 7th. Shows begin at 8pm.

The Bacchae. Gorilla Rep resident playwright Matthew Gasda magically weaves Euripides' ancient and timeless story of The Bacchae through the addition of the dramatic self-awareness of its main character Dionysus' progression through centuries of literature and thought.

The Greek god, Dionysus, has lured the women of Thebes into the surrounding woods for rumored orgies of primal celebration. The young king, Pentheus, is determined to stop Dionysus in order to restore order and decency to his kingdom. In this beautiful, contemporary, poetic and philosophical retelling of the ancient mythical story of The Bacchae, identity is questioned, contradicting truths are celebrated, and the audience will emerge with their minds changed and their senses delighted.

Founded in 1989 by Artistic and Producing Director Christopher Carter Sanderson, Gorilla Rep (www.gorillareptheater.org) continues to provide high-quality theatrical productions of classical dramatic works combined with a contemporary immediacy COMPLETELY FREE to New York City audiences. He directs this production of The Bacchae after a year-long commission and development process which included a workshop production in upstate NY and a tour to Philadelphia. Spencer Ventresca, Assistant Director and Greg Petroff, Second Assistant Director for the production.

A published script of The Bacchae is available at Amazon.com and wherever fine theatrical titles are sold.