Photo Flash: SCR Teen Players 'Metamorphoses'

Mythical gods step from the pages of Ovid in South Coast Repertory's Teen Players production of Metamorphoses by Mary Zimmerman.  Based on David R. Slavitt's translation of The Metamorphoses of Ovid and directed by Hisa Takakuwa, the production runs in SCR's Nicholas Studio May 24 - 25 and May 30 - June 1.

The Teen Players (grades 9-12) are the oldest of two ensemble groups-acting students of primary and secondary school age-who have been chosen through audition after at least two years in SCR's Theatre Conservatory.  They attend classes twice weekly during the school year, with additional rehearsal time prior to their annual performance.

In Metamorphoses, young people will easily recognize mythical characters like Midas, a billionaire venture capitalist, and Apollo's son who has issues with his dad and is seeing a shrink.  But dealing with loss and suffering is also a theme of this lyrical play that CurtainUp described as, "a mix of poignancy, uplift and humor."

Takakuwa is director of SCR's Theatre Conservatory and a member of the classic theatre company A Noise Within.  She performed for 14 years with SCR's Educational Touring Production and as Sally in A Christmas Carol.

The Teen Players are: Chase Anderson-Shaw, Brandon Barnes, BriAnna Beach, Ellis Beardsley, Jordan Bellow, Kamisha Brooks, Mikey DeBenedetto, Lauren Gardner, Kendall Horn, Courtney Kato, Julia Ostmann, Julian Sharifi, Akshay Sharma, Lauren Speakman, Rachel Teague and Jake Weinberg.

Photos courtesy of SCR.

The goddess Aphrodite (Ellis Beardsley, back) puts a curse on Myrrha (Courtney Kato)

Psyche (Ellis Beardsley) has been told by her sisters that her husband Eros (Mikey DeBenedetto) is really a monster

Psyche (Ellis Beardsley) has been told by her sisters that her husband Eros (Mikey DeBenedetto) is really a monster