The Trojan War, sparked by the abduction of the beautiful Helen of Troy, is over. The Greeks, led by Odysseus, are victorious. Odysseus has not yet spent his 10 years traveling the world in the tales made famous in Homer’s Odyssey.
Instead, he is a young and weary commander, dealing with the aftermath of the recent war. Odysseus examines the tension between the victorious Greeks and the conquered Trojans. It premieres at Vanderbilt University‘s Neely Auditorium April 6.
“I am inspired by what this play says about the resilience of the human spirit. I often wonder as I look at individuals who have lost loved ones during 9/11 or in Iraq, who have children dying of cancer or who have had entire life savings erased by Katrina, how are they able to carry on?” says Jon Hallquist, director of the production and associate professor of theatre. “In Odysseus, the Trojan women experience horrendous personal loss and somehow they find the courage and will to endure, even if it is only for the betterment of future generations.”
Odysseus will be performed at 8 p.m. April 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14, and at 2 p.m. on April 8. Admission is $8 for the general public, $5 for graduate and professional students, and free for undergraduates with Vanderbilt identification. Tickets go on sale April 2 at the Neely Auditorium box office. Tickets may be reserved by calling (615) 322-2404.
Media Contact: Melissa Pankake, (615) 322-NEWS
melissa.r.pankake@vanderbilt.edu