The Classical Greek Theatre Festival 2013

The Department of Theatre is proud to present:

The 43rd Annual Classical Greek Theatre Festival

In September of 2013, The Classical Greek Theater Festival of Westminster
College will mount and tour a new production of Sophocles’ tragic masterpiece Oedipus
the King. As many know, the play follows Oedipus’ journey to discover the source of the
plague affecting Thebes, the killer of the old king Laius, and the truth of his own identity.
He himself causes the discovery as he issues an edict, calls witnesses, listens to
prophets and family, and moves inevitably to the truth. We see and hear Oedipus in
action, and he is called man, hero, savior, master, and tyrant by the chorus and various
characters. In his virtues and his vices, Oedipus embodies characteristics often
associated with ancient Athens. In a way, the Athenian audience was watching itself
onstage. But the play, like so many Greek tragedies, also tells a universal truth--since we
are all concerned with identity, who we are, and how we relate to others and to the
divine.

In the Fall of 2013, Sandra Shotwell, a Professor of Theater at the University Utah with an
expertise and experience in Greek tragedy, will direct a production of Greek tragedy
featuring a recent American translation by Marianne McDonald. Spencer Brown of
Westminster College will create the set design with costumes by Valerie Nishiguchi,
original music by composer Cathy Neff, and choreography by Solange Gomes. The
production will open at Westminster College on September 6th, and then tour the
state of Utah with venues at Springdale on Sept. 14th at 10:00am, in Provo at BYU’s de
Jong Concert Hall on Sept. 23rd at 5:00pm, Ogden at WSU in the Wildcat Theater on Sept. 25th at 7:30 pm,  and then return to Salt Lake City for its residency at Red Butte Garden on
Sept. 21-22 and 28-29 with performances beginning at 9:00am. An orientation lecture
by the dramaturge will precede the show thirty minutes before each performance.

For more information contact:
James Svendsen
(801) 581-4607
jim.svendsen@mac.com
or
The Theatre Department
801.832.2458