As part of the 40th annual Classical Greek Theatre Festival, Euripides’ “Alcestis” will be performed at Brigham Young University’s de Jong Concert Hall Monday, Sept. 20, at 5 p.m. A free pre-performance lecture will start at 4 p.m.
Tickets for the event are available through the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 422-4322, or by visiting byuarts.com. Tickets cost $8-11.
“Alcestis” was first produced in 438 B.C. and is the oldest surviving work of Euripides. It portrays the story of Admetus and his wife Alcestis. Admetus has made a deal with Death to not die. However, he must provide another to die in his stead.
When no one else will die for Admetus, his faithful wife Alcestis steps in. The play explores the themes of virtue, sacrifice and rebirth, and teaches that "when goodness dies, all good men suffer, too."
“Euripides wrote strong female characters with major roles in his plays,” said director Hugh Hanson. “This is a story about an intelligent and good woman who does what she does because she understands what is at stake if she doesn’t. She understands what the loss of the king will do to the country and what the loss of her children’s father will have on their lives."
The play is directed by Hanson of the University of Utah’s Department of Theatre. The musical score was produced by Cathy Neff.
For more information, contact Amy Oakeson at (801) 581-6406, amy.oakeson@utah.edu.
Writer: Brandon Garrett
