Salem Theatre Company Opens New Space With MEDEA Today

Salem Theatre Company brings to the stage the latest version of the Euripides classic, MEDEA. Performances begin today, March 10 and run through March 26 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 3pm. Saturday, March 26 will offer two performances at 2pm and 7:30pm. All shows take place at the theatre's new space at Shetland Park at 35 Congress Street on the 3rd floor with readily available parking in the lot.

In an ancient challenge to patriarchal oppression, the Greek tragedy MEDEA tells the story of an abused and abandoned woman driven to bloody, shocking revenge. Medea, a brilliant, flawed protagonist, is frustrated at every turn as the powerful men in her life betray her trust and splinter her family. Adapted by British dramaturg and playwright Ben Power, known as "the National Theatre's secret weapon," this 2014 translation presents a lean, unflinching look at Medea's defiance.

Bertrand states of the relevance of the play, "It's been two thousand years since Euripides first penned Medea and yet women are still stuck every day navigating a society optimized for men. The play grapples with tropes that resound across the centuries: domestic violence, subverting gender roles, and the decay of once-healthy communities."

Director Catherine Bertrand, originally from Lynn, leads Salem Theatre Company's premiere performance in their brand new venue at 35 Congress Street. MEDEA features Caroline Watson-Felt of Salem as Medea and Jay Connolly of Peabody as Jason as well as Kris Burke of Beverly as the Nurse, Rob Cope of Somerville as Kreon, Nick Osborne of Roxbury as Aegeus, Catherine Benjamin of Salem as Jason's Attendant, Katie Donovan of Lynnfield as the Chorus Leader and the Chorus includes Salem residents Lia Parisi (Gloucester native), Cailin McCormack, Hannah Wagner, Liz Jelinek (Topsfield native), Chelsea Borden, and Diana Dunlap. Lighting by Corey Wittenmore of Salem, Costumes by Mallory Curtin and Kate Devorak of Salem, Set by Colin Colford of Salem, Make-Up by Charlie Kellog, Stage Management and Set by Ravenne Rose of Saugus.

Previews: Thursday, March 10 and Friday, March 11, 7:30pm, Tickets $20.

Opening Night: Saturday, March 12, 7:30pm; Opening Night Reception, 9:30pm*

*Join us for the opening night of Medea and the theatre with a champagne toast and cash bar. Tickets $20.

Press Night: Friday, March 11 at 7:30pm

Student Performance: **Friday, March 18. All student tickets $10.

**Pre-show conversation: "A Director's Perspective of Medea" with STC Medea Director Catherine Bertrand and SSU Medea Director, Professor David Allen George.

LGBT Night: Thursday, March 24 at 7:30pm.

Tickets go on sale on Friday, February 26. Tickets are $10-$25 online and $10-$30 at the door and are available online through www.salemtheatre.com.

Salem Theatre Company supports and transforms the community by giving voice to narratives that challenge, encourage, and incite its audiences and offer the shared human experience of creative and honest storytelling. STC aims to serve the creative needs of Salem's emerging urban center through selecting diverse works that are open and available to all audiences.

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