Classic Greek Theatre Presents OEDIPUS, THE KING, Thru 9/26

Classic Greek Theatre of Oregon (CGTO), the only professional Greek Theatre Festival in the United States, presents OEDIPUS, THE KING in Season 1 of "It's All Greek To Me" September Festival celebrating the influence of Greek themes in the Arts -- running September 10-26, 2010.

The headlining production of this first-ever Greek Art-themed festival is a newly imagined production of OEDIPUS, THE KING by Sophocles masterfully translated by poet Stephen Berg and scholar Diskin Clay. OEDIPUS, THE KING is directed by CGTO's new Artistic Director, Elizabeth Huffman.

Performance dates are Sept 10-26, 2010.  The performance will take place in the Cerf Amphitheatre on Reed College Campus, 3203 SE Woodstock Boulevard, Portland.  In case of rain, restaged performances of Oedipus will take place at Elliot Hall in the Chapel at Reed College. 

Performance times are Fridays and Saturdays @ 7:00 pm, Sundays @ 4:00pm, with guest talkbacks and weekday matinees at Noon: Sept 16,17, 22,23, 24.

'It's All Greek to me Festival' performance dates are September 10-26, 2010, at the Chapel at Reed College Campus- Elliot Hall, 3203 SE Woodstock Boulevard, Portland.
Performance Times are 7:00 pm for all evening events.  The Children's Greek Myth show will open on Sept 18: 11:00 am.

Tickets for all events can be purchased online at boxofficetickets.com or www.classicgreektheatre.org.

To purchase tickets by phone, call 503-205-0715 (M-F 10am-6pm, Saturday & Sunday 8am-1pm). 
In person, got to Hollywood Theatre Ticket Office, 4122 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland.

Tickets can also be purchased at the venue one hour before the performance.

For more information, visit www.classicgreektheatre.org or call the CGTO Information line: 503-258-9313.

Ticket prices are as follows: OEDIPUS: $20, Seniors: $12 and Students: $10, Other Festival Events: $15, Seniors & Students: $10,  Children's show: $10,  Festival Pass: $75- all events and Senior & Student Pass: $55- all events.

OEDIPUS, THE KING - Set in the zen garden of a mythical Theban court, director Elizabeth Huffman is creating a fusion of ancient Greek theatre forms with Japanese Kabuki, Noh and Butoh elements to illuminate through a unique blend of cultures the universal themes of blind fate, destiny and enlightenment in the most famous play in the Greek canon. Oedipus will be performed outdoors at the Cerf Amphitheatre at Reed College.

Ms. Huffman is working in collaboration with Larry Kominz, head of Japanese studies at PSU, along with Butoh choreographer Mizu Desierto, Japanese dancer Diana Hinatsu, composer Susan Hurley along with Portland Taiko providing excerpts from their albums.

Oedipus stars Vietnamese born actor and former Portland resident, Trieu Tran in the title role. Mr. Tran was recently seen in the film Tropical Thunder and was nominated for LA critics circle award for Equus with George Takei. This production marks an ambitious and exciting change for this 24 year old company.

With the use of elements taken from the traditions of both art forms, this production will employ a stunning all male cast, with three actors playing all the central roles. In addition to Mr. Tran as Oedipus, the Suzuki trained mask artist, actor Michael Lopez, from Los Angeles will be playing the triple roles of Jocasta, Tiresias and the Shepherd.

Joining CGTO again is popular Portland actor, Doren Elias, recently seen in CGTO's Trojan Women, in Artists Rep's production: Design for Living and he is currently playing Tevye in Clackamas Rep's Fiddler on the Roof. Doren will be playing the triple roles of Kreon, Corinthian and Palace Messenger.

These three actors are tremendously gifted and will add luster and the highest professional talent to this production.

Season 1: "It's All Greek To Me" September Festival

In addition to the Main-stage show, CGTO is also creating their very first festival called: "It's All Greek to Me" September Festival focused on illuminating the influence of Greek themes in The Arts.

Tuesday, Sept 14: Poetic License

A very special night of poetry and music inspired by Greek themes with beat poet Robert Briggs and his jazz trio performing: My Own Atom Bomb. The second half of the evening will feature Portland's spoken word chorus, VOX, directed by Eric Hull, who will perform a new work: Musings, poems from contemporary Greece.

Wednesday, Sept 15: Greek Music

CGTO is proud to present the world renowned musicians Gayle and Phillip Nueman, for a beautiful evening of ancient Greek music on replicas of ancient instruments. The beautiful and varied repertoire of ancient Greek music is brought to life by the Neumans of Ensemble De Organographia, performed in a lively style based on precepts potted in the writings of the Greek philosophers. They perform the extant repertoire preserved in Greek letter musical notation on papyrus and stone, on replicas of ancient instruments they have built.

Thursday, Sept 16: Greek Grab Bag Symposium

JACK Theatre Company from Los Angeles comes to Portland as our guests to perform a hilarious reading of Plato masterpiece of philosophy: Socrates Dialogue with Euthyphro! Actors Carlos Carrasco as Euthyphro (Speed, CSI) and Kent Minault as Socrates will prove Plato to be very funny in this spirited and very funny reading of the famous dialogue by Plato. In this text, Socrates is waiting to go into the courts for his trial, decides to pass the time by persistently questioning Euthyphro on piety, twisting the poor fellow's mind into knots.

The reading is followed by a rousing symposium of special guests, organized and moderated by Walter Englert, Reed College Classics Professor and will feature guest speakers: Nicholas Smith, Professor of Philosophy, Lewis and Clark College, Kathleen Worley, Professor of Theater, Reed College and Dr. John Schilke.

Saturday, Sept 18: Children's Theatre: Greek Mythology

For the first time CGTO has a new kids show! Parents can bring their kids for this hour long, terrifically fun interactive show on Greek Mythology for ages K-8! This is a Co-production with Traveling Lantern, featuring stories of Gods and heroism from the ancient civilization by the sea. From their protected perch on Mount Olympus, the Gods of ancient Greece wrap their magic and subterfuge around the humans they choose to meddle with. Their manipulations influence the futures of the mortals who live far below them in a world bound by the realities of life and death. The important question of whether our choices can alter our fate is the eternal riddle of these fascinating and timeless myths.

Performed by Jonah Weston and ileana herrin, kids will have a great time learning all about Homer and the some rarely told Greek Myths.
TIME: 11:00 am

Wednesday, Sept 22 & Thursday, Sept 23: Iphigenia in Aulis a co-production with Base Roots Theatre Company.

Wrapping up the festival is a staged reading of a powerful and poetic new adaptation based on the play by Euripides. This reading is a beautiful new adaptation of Iphigenia in Aulis by Steven Wolfson in collaboration with Base Roots Theatre Company. Directed by Elizabeth Huffman

For more information, visit www.classicgreektheatre.org.

Photo Credit: Darrell Allen Davis

 

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