Pittsburgh Public Theater Presents ELECTRA 9/29-10/30

Pittsburgh Public Theater launches its 37th season with Electra, written by ancient Greek master Sophocles and adapted by Frank McGuinness. After highly successful productions of Medea and Oedipus the King, Greek native Ted Pappas will now direct Electra. It runs September 29 - October 30, 2011 at the O'Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater's home in the heart of Downtown's Cultural District. For tickets call 412.316.1600 or visit ppt.org.

Electra is presented by First Niagara with production sponsors Jim and Electra Agras and Production Underwriters Jim and Kathe Patrinos.

Electra brings to life the myths of ancient Greece while it tells a timeless story of one family's tragedy. As the play begins, Orestes (Michael Simpson), his friend Pylades (David J.M. Bielewicz), and his faithful servant (Edward James Hyland) secretly return to the palace of Mycenae. Years before he had been sent into hiding after the murder of his father, King Agamemnon, by his mother Clytemnestra (Lisa Harrow) and her lover Aegisthus (David Whalen). Despite the passage of time his sister, Electra (Catherine Eaton), can't get over their father's death. Their other sister, Chrysothemis (Catherine Gowl), and the women of Mycenae (The Chorus: Glynis Bell, Shinnerrie Jackson, and Amy Landis), tell her to pull herself together. But that's hard in the presence of her regal mother who proclaims her righteousness. Will fate give Electra her revenge? That answer will not be revealed until the play's shocking conclusion.

The design team for Electra is James Noone (Scenic), Gabriel Berry (Costumes), Kirk Bookman (Lighting), and Zach Moore (Sound). Ruth E. Kramer is the Production Stage Manager and Fredric H. Orner is the Assistant Stage Manager.

About the Playwright
Sophocles was a leading dramatist during the Athenian Golden Age. Born in 495 BC near Athens, Greece, he was beloved in his day and is remembered more than two millennia later for his great works of tragedy. Sophocles wrote well over 100 plays but only seven have survived intact: Ajax, Antigone, The Women of Trachis, Oedipus the King, Electra, Philoctetes, and Oedipus at Colonus. He is appreciated by modern audiences for his treatment of the individual and the complex issues he addresses. He died peacefully when he was over 90 years old, around 406 BC.

Pittsburgh Public Theater Presents
What: Electra
When: September 29 - October 30, 2011
Performance Schedule
Tues. through Sat. at 8 pm (except Tues., Oct. 25 when the show is at 7 pm).
Sat. at 2 pm (except Oct. 1 & 8).
There will be an additional 2 pm matinee on Thurs., Oct. 27.
Sun. at 2 & 7 pm (except Oct. 30 when the final show is at 2 pm).
Press Night and Opening Night are Thursday, October 6.
Ticket Prices
$28.75 to $60.75.
$15.75 for students and age 26 and younger with valid ID.
For tickets call 412.316.1600 or visit ppt.org

Pictured: Lisa Harrow

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