Inaugural theater production a dream come true
Friday, February 13, 2015 2:00 AM
News
Pittsburg, KS
For Cynthia Allan, chair of Pittsburg State University’s Department of Communication, directing the upcoming production of Sarah Ruhl’s “Eurydice,” is a dream come true on several levels. Not only is this the first PSU Theatre production in the new Bicknell Family Center for the Arts’ Dotty and Bill Miller Theater, it is also an opportunity to work with a top-notch cast and crew.
“Working with this excellent cast and crew as well as with my long-time theater colleagues has been a dream come true,” Allan said. “I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to create the first production in the Miller Theater. The acoustics, spatial dimensions, and house size are unlike anything we've ever had.”
Allan said her choice for the production is also special.
"One of the things I like most about Sarah Ruhl's plays is how she generates such vivid images and specific dialogue, and yet allows for tremendous amounts of interpretation,” Allan said. “Her scripts are intricate blueprints that allow other theater artists plenty of leeway to construct their own vision.”
“Eurydice” is a classic story told in a new and contemporary way. It retells the classical Greek myth of Orpheus through the eyes of its heroine but instead of focusing on Orpheus’s journey to retrieve his wife, Eurydice, from Hades, Ruhl tells of Eurydice’s own journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her father and learns about love, loss, and the pleasure and pain memory.
The cast of “Eurydice” features Lindsey Lockhart as Eurydice; Gil Cooper as her father; Alexander Warstler as Orpheus; and Logan Qualls as a nasty interesting man/lord of the underworld. The chorus of stones include Taylor Patterson-Elliot as the Big Stone, Megan Westhoff as the Little Stone, and Megan Reed as the Loud Stone. The production staff features set designer Lin Little, costume designer Lisa Quinteros and composer Megan McCoy. A trio of musicians will perform live on stage during the production and McCoy has written all original music for the show.
To celebrate its first production in the Bicknell Center, the PSU Theatre will hold a Pitt State Theatre alumni reunion. A reception will follow the evening's performance on Saturday, Feb. 28
“Eurydice” runs Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 26-28 at 8 p.m., and Saturday through Sunday Feb. 28-March 1 at 2 p.m. in the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts, 1711 S. Homer St., Pittsburg, Kan. Tickets are $11 for the general public, $6 for persons under 17 or over 65. PSU students, faculty and staff are admitted free with a valid PSU I.D. To purchase tickets, call the PSU Ticket Office at 620-235-4796 or visit the office at 1701 S. Homer in the Weede Physical Education Building. Tickets may also be purchased at the door starting approximately 30 minutes before each performance.