PROVIDENCE, RI- The Wilbury Theatre Group proudly presents the Rhode Island premiere of
Lisa Petersonand
Denis O’Hare’s highly acclaimed Obie award-winning adaptation of Homer’s epic poem
, An Iliad. Directed by
Clara Weishahn (Sharon in
DETROIT at the Wilbury Group) and featuring Rhode Island native
Matthew Fraza as “The Poet”, this re-telling brings to life the ancient tale of gods, goddesses, warriors and their families, and the endless battles of human history with a gripping, modern voice.
An Iliad runs
January 23-February 8 at The Wilbury Theatre Group, 393 Broad Street, Providence RI. Tickets are just $15-$20, with discounts available for subscribers, seniors, and students. Tickets at 401-400-7100 or
thewilburygroup.org.
Masterfully adapted by Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare from Robert Fagles‘s acclaimed translation, An Iliad telescopes Homer’s Trojan War epic into a gripping monologue that captures both the heroism and horror of war. Crafted around the stories of Achilles and Hector, in language that is by turns poetic and conversational, An Iliad brilliantly refreshes this world classic for a modern audience. What emerges is a powerful piece of theatrical storytelling that vividly drives home the timelessness of mankind’s compulsion toward violence.
ABOUT AN ILIAD
Destined to relive the past over and over again, Homer’s Poet has told the story of the Greek siege of Troy for centuries, conjuring the heroes and battles for different cultures and eras. Now in the shadow of war in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, he unleashes the story’s power for a modern audience. An Iliad premiered in 2010 and has been praised by critics across the country since, including The New York Times this spring, who observed that “Mr. O’Hare and Ms. Peterson have telescoped the mighty expanses of Homer’s great poem into an evening that scales the conflict of the Trojan War down to an intimate solo show illuminating both the heroism and the horror of warfare.”
“Spellbinding…Smartly conceived and impressively executed, An Iliad relates an age-old story that resonates with tragic meaning today.” -The New York Times
“An Iliad is pure theater: shocking, glorious, primal and deeply satisfying.” –Time Out NY
“Explosive, altogether breathtaking…Brilliantly meshes past and present calamity, with touches of the most caustic dark humor suddenly shifting into unimaginable pathos.” –Chicago Sun-Times
“A brilliant and thrilling adaptation.” –The Philadelphia Inquirer
“From the moment I read this play I felt that it was perfect Wilbury Group material,” says Wilbury Group Artistic Director Josh Short. “In keeping with our continued exploration of societal decline and collapse this season, An Iliad makes the effects of rage and war so immediate and accessible that even on the page the play is incredibly moving and relevant. And as excited as we are about the play, we’re even more thrilled to have Clara working with us again and this time in the director’s chair. Between her, Matt Fraza and the incredible design team we’ve assembled for it, we’re all very excited to see one of the greatest stories ever told brought to life.”
An Iliad is sponsored in part by The Providence Phoenix and the Narragansett Brewing Co.
AN ILIAD runs January 23 thru February 8, 2014, with performances Thursday thru Sunday at 7:30pm. Sunday January 26 is Pay-What-You-Can. Tickets are $15-$20 and are available at (401) 400-7100 or online at
ABOUT THIS PRODUCTION
AN ILIAD By Lisa Peterson & Denis O’Hare
Directed by Clara Weishahn
Featuring Matthew Fraza as The Poet.
Costume Design by Sylvi Re
Scenic Design by Jacqueline Frole
Lighting/Sound Design by Jason Eckenroth
Stage Management by Polly Feliciano
Cellist, Evan Lunt; Dramaturge, Mitchell Parks; Production Manager, Seth Finkle.
CALENDAR OF PERFORMANCES
Thursday, January 23 7:30pm PREVIEW
Friday, January 24 7:30pm PREVIEW
Saturday, January 25 7:30pm PREVIEW
Sunday, January 26 7:30pm PWYC
Monday, January 27 7:30pm PRESS
Thursday, January 30 7:30pm
Friday, January 31 7:30pm
Saturday, February 1 7:30pm
Thursday, February 6 7:30pm
Friday, February 7 7:30pm
Saturday, February 8 7:30pm
Sunday, February 9 3:00pm
ABOUT THE WILBURY THEATRE GROUP
Founded in 2010, The Wilbury Group is an ever-evolving collaboration of artists committed to presenting the public with the highest quality professional theatre. Founded on the belief that quality theatre should be an affordable and accessible means of enrichment to the community; The Wilburys present contemporary, experiential theatre that simultaneously engages, inspires, and provokes thought among audiences.
As the official resident theatre company in the historic Trinity Square Theater at the Southside Cultural Center, The Wilbury Theatre Group is committed to providing our diverse and evolving community with affordable access to the performing arts through our Education program, public outreach programs, and professional productions of cutting-edge theatre from around the world.
To learn more about our 2013-14 season, or find out how you can get involved, visit us online at www.thewilburygroup.org.
###
