American Thymele Theatre to Present HIPPOLYTUS in Outdoor NYC Venues, 7/23-27

Now in its 5th year, American Thymele Theatre's NYC Euripides Free Summer Festival Series presents HIPPOLYTUS from July 23rd through 27th. Outdoor performances will be held at the East River Park Amphitheatre (Tues. 7/23 and Wed. 7/24), theNaumburg Bandshell in Central Park (Thurs. 7/25), at Theatre Seven Seventy Seven (Sat. 7/27). Stephen Diacrussi directs a cast of 22 headed by Amina Camille, Maite Uzal, Matthew Cavender, Maia Karo, Gregory L. Wilson, Gavin Rohrer, Reet Roos Varnikand Shawn Patrick Gianella. The chorus is led by MaryBeth Schroeder.

Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, is furious with Hippolytus, a mortal prince and son of King Theseus of Athens and Troezen, for rejecting sexual love and refusing marriage. Instead, Hippolytus prefers to lead a chaste life honoring Artemis, the virgin Goddess of Hunting. The revengeful Aphrodite punishes Hippolytus for scorning life's natural pleasures by causing his stepmother Phaedra to fall in love with him. Aphrodite's spell has a profound impact on Phaedra, compelling her to languish in her love for her stepson by refusing food and sleep. Alarmed, Phaedra's Nurse, induces her into confessing her secret with the promise that she will not reveal it to Hippolytus. Believing the issue can be resolved, the Nurse breaks her promise and informs Hippolytus of Phaedra's love with shattering consequences.

Heralded as the most modern of the great ancient Greek dramatists, Euripides wrote provocative plays with remarkable insight into human character. Considered one of his greatest extant plays, this HIPPOLYTUS was produced in 428 B.C. when it received a rare first prize. Subsequent plays and other works of art inspired by HIPPOLYTUS include Phèdre by Jean Racine, the opera Hippolyte et Aricie by Jean-Philippe Rameau, Eugene O'Neill's Desire Under The Elms and the film classic Phaedra by Jules Dassin.HIPPOLYTUS marks the beginning of what came to be known as modern psychological drama.

Founded in 1993, American Thymele Theatre was established to promote Hellenic culture in NYC and beyond. The company realizes its mission by producing quality Greek-themed plays and presenting them free of charge to the public. Since 2009 the company has become known for its NYC Euripides Free Summer Festival, with previous acclaimed productions of Rhesus, Alcestis, Medea andChildren of Hercules (Heracleidae). These fully staged productions replicate ancient costumes, scenery, music, etc. The festival revives the production of classics at the East River Park Amphitheatre that originally started here in the 1950s. ATT extends its Euripides Festival at Central Park's Naumburg Bandshell and in select off-Broadway theaters.

HIPPOLYTUS will be staged at the East River Park Amphitheatre on Tues. July 23 and Wed. July 24 at 6:00PM (FDR Drive overpass - Grand St. exit - betw. Cherry St. and Jackson St.), at the Naumburg Bandshell on Thurs. July 25 at 6:00PM (Central Park Mall - enter at 72nd St./C.P.W. or 72nd St. & 5th Ave.) and at Theatre Seven Seventy Seven on Sat. July 27 at 5PM (777 Eighth Avenue between 47th and 48th Streets, 2nd Fl.). All performances are free to the public, no reservations required. For the Theatre 777performance go to www.SmartTix.com or call 212-868-4444, or: www.AmericanThymeleTheatre.Yolasite.com.

Pictured: Phaedra (Maia Karo) with the Nurse (Reet Roos Varnik) and Palace Women Chorus. Photo Credit: Stephen Diacurssi.