Lopez, Fraser, Raffo, Etc. Join Orestes Reading, April 30

Priscilla Lopez (A Chorus Line, In the Heights), Alison Fraser (The Secret Garden, Falsettos), Heather Raffo (Nine Parts of Desire) and more have joined the cast of an upcoming staged reading of Euripides' Orestes, which will take place on Monday, April 30, at 8:00 PM.  Presented by the 92nd St. Y Poets' Theatre, the reading marks the world premiere of Anne Carson's (author, The Beauty of the Husband: A Fictional Essay in 29 Tangos, Autobiography of Red) new translation of Euripides' tragedy. The staged reading will be directed by David Esbjornson (The Great Gatsby, Tuesdays with Morrie), artistic director of the Seattle Repertory Theatre.

The stars join the previously announced Elizabeth Marvel, Christopher Welch, Paul Hecht, Yusef Bulos, James Gale, Cheyenne Casebier and Jeffrey Steitzer.

Press notes state, "Orestes, written by Euripides circa 408 B.C.E., explores the aftermath of a man's decision to commit matricide for what he sees as a just cause.  Although advised by the Greek god Apollo to kill his mother to avenge her murder of his father, Orestes is plagued by guilt and a growing madness. His sister Electra tries to comfort him, but matters are complicated by the fact that a leading political faction wants to execute Orestes for the murder. Orestes' only hope lies with his uncle Menelaus, who is married to the infamous Helen of Troy. Menelaus, who is hated by the Greeks because of his wife's role in the Trojan War, refuses to help Orestes. To exact revenge for this betrayal, Orestes and his friends conspire to kill Helen but are persuaded to reconsider after one of her slaves inspires their compassion.  On the verge of a fight between Orestes and Menelaus, Apollo descends from the heavens, pardoning Orestes for his mother's death and making everything right again."

"The Trojan War generated some of the most disturbing violations of law and morality known to man. . . We can find many lessons and insights from these powerful stories that might help today's society from going down a similar path to destruction.

The complete cast list follows:

Chorus - Priscilla Lopez
Chorus - Eliza Foss                    
Chorus - Heather Raffo              
Elektra - Elizabeth Marvel          
Helen - Alison Fraser               
Hermione - Cheyenne Casebier      
Menelaos - Paul Hecht                   
Messenger - James Gale                  
Music - Gina Leishman 
Orestes - Christopher Welch       
Pylades - Erik Heger                   
Trojan Slave - Jeffrey Steitzer
Tyndareos - Yusef Bulos   

All Poets' Theatre productions are produced by the 92nd Street Y Unterberg Poetry Center. Orestes is co-produced by Diane Wondisford and the Music-Theatre Group. Tickets are $18, and are available at www.92Y.org/poetry or by calling 212.415.5500.

Photo of Priscilla Lopez by Genevieve Rafter Keddy