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Alcestis artwork © Annie Poon |
Euripides’ Alcestis
In a version by Ted Hughes
Handcart Ensemble announces the New York premiere of Euripides’ Alcestis in its triumphant adaptation by poet Ted Hughes. Written by Hughes in the final months of his life, its guilt-ridden, widower protagonist prompted comparisons to the death of Hughes’s first wife, the poet Sylvia Plath. Whatever its biographical content, Hughes’s version of Alcestis stands on its own as a meditation on life, death, sacrifice, and redemption and toured the United Kingdom in 2000 to widespread acclaim:
“Wonderfully bold, punchy verse.... I challenge anyone not to be moved.”
—Benedict Nightingale, The Times
“Hughes makes this a story of struggle and, finally, hope in which death is conquered not just by Heracles but by unswerving love.... [Hughes] heightens the conflict in several ways.” —Michael Billington, The Guardian
“...especially poignant and courageous.... Alcestis is a work that looks death in the eye without blinking.” —Charles Spencer, The Daily Telegraph
In Alcestis, King Admetos, doomed to an early death, is given a chance to live if someone will agree to die in his place. When others refuse, his wife Alcestis unexpectedly offers up her own life. After Alcestis has died, questions remain: Was Admetos ignoble in accepting his wife's sacrifice? How to carry on with dignity after irretrievable loss? And is any loss truly irretrievable? The entrance of a naïvely brash Heracles brings a gust of comedic whimsy and steers the play to a surprisingly hopeful conclusion.
Location
The Salvation Army’s THEATRE 315
315 West 47th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues
New York, NY 10036
Tickets
Tickets cost $18. We recommend buying tickets in advance through SmartTix at 212-868-4444 or smarttix.com.
SmartTix is the only method of purchasing advance tickets or of buying tickets with a credit card. We will also accept cash at the door on a first-come first-served basis. Please purchase advance tickets. There is no fee for buying advance tickets!
Cast
Steve Abbruscato*
Ron Bopst*
David D’Agostini*
Matthew Herrick*
Kevin Lapin
Robert Mobley*
Nicholas Alexiy Moran*
Jane Pejtersen*
Laurie Schroeder*
| Director |
J. Scott Reynolds |
| Original Score |
Nathan Bowen |
| Choreography |
Andrea Homer-Macdonald |
| Costume Designer |
Jessa-Raye Court |
| Lighting Designer |
David Kniep |
| Stage Manager |
Valerie Best |
* AEA Member. Equity Approved Showcase.
Other Information
The theater is on the ground floor. Wheelchair access from the sidewalk is very easy.
Alcestis runs about 2 hours, and will be performed with one intermission.
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