BRATTLEBORO-Vermont Theatre Company is producing a cozy, intimate Greek tragedy for its winter production this year. The Bacchae by Euripides will be presented over two weekends, March 14–16 and 21–23, with Friday and Saturday performances at 7 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. at 118 Elliot.
This production uses an original translation by playwright Alex Hacker, who will also direct. Hacker has translated Euripides's tragedy into a modern idiom that explores music and dance as intoxicating vehicles for the experience of the divine Dionysus, god of wine, theater, and ritualized madness. The play pits the values of openness, fluidity, and equality represented by Dionysus against the hierarchical power and authority of the political establishment.
In translating the play from the ancient Greek and also directing, Hacker says his goal is "to bring Euripides's play to a modern audience and the audience into the play. The play uses language that everyone can understand, and there is direct communication and interaction with the audience. Hopefully everyone comes away with a clear idea of how astonishingly relevant the themes still are after more than 2,400 years. It's still a Greek tragedy, but it's also a lot of fun!"
The cast includes Jessica Iris, Tosha Tillman, Avery Thompson, Tracy Berchi, Chris Dubis and Mimi Fang as the Bacchae, Robin Fitzgerald as Dionysus, John Marinelli as Pentheus, Keira Zagaeski as Agave, Geof Dolman as Cadmus, Kira Storm as Tiresias, Cyndi Cain as the Aide-de-camp, Kay Beckett and Thomas Ely as the Messengers, and Alex Lacey as First Officer. Casey Parles is assistant director. Kay Beckett and Dante Mauriello are the producers.
For tickets, visit vermonttheatrecompany.org/events.
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