The movement of modern dance brings new color and insight to a production of Euripides' "The Trojan Women" at Brigham Young University directed by Barta Heiner and choreographed by Caroline Prohosky.
This classic Greek tragedy, which explores the nobility of the human spirit, will be performed beginning Friday (March 14) at 7:30 p.m. in the Margetts Theatre.
Performances will run Tuesdays through Saturdays until March 29. Tickets are $12 for the public and $9 for BYU faculty and students. Half-price preview performance tickets will be available for Wednesday and Thursday, March 12 and 13. A matinee will be performed on Saturday, March 22, at 2 p.m.
For tickets, please call the Fine Arts Ticket Office at (801) 378-4322 or order them at www.byu.edu/hfac.
"The Trojan Women" begins after the Trojan War ends, with a victory for the Greeks due to their famous "Trojan Horse" scheme. The war, which lasted for 10 years, theoretically began when Helen was taken from the Greeks in Athens. Her husband, Menelaus, started the war to get her back.
Queen Hecuba and her surviving women gather in Troy in the aftermath of war while they wait for the Greeks to determine their fate and the fate of their children.
"It is a representation of all the women and all casualties of war. Whether they be dead or living, there are always casualties," said Heiner.
The feeling of movement, color and theme of "The Trojan Women" was inspired by a famous painting by artist J.W. Waterhouse.
"The Greek chorus in this production is unique in that they further the plot by expressing what has happened, what is happening and how they feel, not through just words, but through modern dance," said costume designer Curt R. Jensen. "The textures and colors of the costumes enhance the movement and reveal what the dancers are expressing."
Heiner is a veteran BYU actor/director, while Prohosky is a professional choreographer and director of the Dancers' Company, BYU's top modern dance ensemble.
Members of the cast include Laura Reyna as Hecuba, Heidi Hathaway as Helen, Susanna Winters Florance as Cassandra, Bryn Fairclough as Andromache with Carl Schmeil as Talthybius and Derek Willis as Menalaus.
Scenic designer for the production is Cory Lorenzen, costume designer is Curt R. Jensen, lighting designer is Marianne Ohran and the make-up and hair designer is Brittany Belinski. The stage manager is Kenna R. Dalley.
Writer: Elizabeth B. Jensen
