The University of Illinois Springfield Theatre Program will present six performances of “Medea” by Euripides opening on Friday, Oct. 28 in the Studio Theatre, located on the lower level of the Public Affairs Center at UIS.
All shows will begin at 7:30 p.m., except the Sunday performance (Oct. 30), which will begin at 2 p.m. Opening weekend performance dates include Oct. 28-30. The following week, the play will be performed Nov. 3-5.
Power, revenge, gender and passion swirl and drive this famous story toward its legendary ending. First performed in 431BC, the characters in “Medea” are as universal as they are unforgettable. Euripides’ masterpiece lands on audience members with a new degree of clarity and unending momentum in this exciting new translation by Diane J. Rayor.
“The play begins after Medea, a princess in her own land, has sacrificed everything for Jason. She helped Jason in his quest for the Golden Fleece, eloped with him to Greece, and bore him two sons. When Jason breaks his oath to her and betrays her by marrying the king’s daughter—his ticket to the throne—Medea contemplates the ultimate retribution. Euripides’ most enduring Greek tragedy is a fascinating and disturbing story of how far a woman will go to take revenge in a man’s world.” —Medea, Cambridge University Press, Diane J. Rayor, translator
UIS Professor and Director of Theatre Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson will direct the production with scenic design by UIS Associate Professor of Theatre Dathan Powell.
Cast members include UIS students Carter Coryell, Mary Shay Dennison and Kayla Sarabia; UIS alum Tom Hutchison; and UIS staff member Mike Krcil. The cast also includes community members Melissa Betty and Tamara Bivens.
Ticket prices are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for UIS faculty/staff, $8 for UIS students and $6 for young adults/children under 17. Please note that service charges are not included in the prices above.
Tickets can be purchased on the UIS Performing Arts Center website or between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Ticket Office, located on the second level of the UIS Public Affairs Center. Patrons may call the UIS Ticket Office at 217-206-6160 or visit the UIS Theatre website for more information.