VILLANOVA THEATRE PRESENTS BY SOPHOCLES | ADAPTED BY FRANK MCGUINESS | SEP 20-OCT 2, 2016 DIRECTED BY REV. DAVID CREGAN, OSA, PHD About Villanova University

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In Gratitude The faculty, staff, and students of Villanova Theatre extend sincere gratitude to those generous benefactors who have established endowed funds in support of our efforts: Marianne M. and Charles P. Connolly, Jr. ’70

Dorothy Ann and Bernard A. Coyne, Ph.D. ̓55 Patricia M. ’78 and Joseph C. Franzetti ’78 The Donald R. Kurz Family Peter J. Lavezzoli ’60 Msgr. Joseph F. X. McCahon ’65

Mary Anne C. Morgan ̓70 and Join Villanova Theatre online! Family & Friends of Brian G. Morgan ̓67, ̓70 Anthony T. Ponturo ’74 Follow Villanova Follow Villanova Like Villanova Theatre on Twitter Theatre on Twitter For information about how you can support the Theatre Theatre on Facebook! @VillanovaTheatr @VillanovaTheatre Department, please contact Heather Potts-Brown, Director of Annual Giving, at (610) 519-4583. Find VillanovaTheatre on Tumblr Villanova Theatre gratefully acknowledges the generous support of its many patrons & subscribers. NEXT ON STAGE: MARISOL We wish to offer special thanks to our 16-17 Benefactors: by José Rivera This list is updated as of September 2, 2016 Directed by James Ijames Brooklyn is a war zone, A Running Friend Peggy & Bill Hill Martin Myers coffee is extinct, the moon Donna Adams-Tomlinson Nancy & Joseph Hopko A. Hirotishi & Sumie G. has disappeared, and angels Marion Angelini Kerry Huntsman Nishikawa are trading in their wings for Daphne Apostolidis In Memory of James J. Bill & Mimi Nolan machine guns. Without the Nancy Arthur Mannix Sr. Beverly Nolan protection of her guardian Thomas J. Barbar Anthony J. Inverso Wilhelm & Diane Sandvik angel, Marisol Perez begins Thomas Baroth Christopher Janosik Joe Schick & a surreal journey through the Phoebe Baxter Elizabeth Jekot Michael Williamson chaos of a crumbling world Miriam Blimm Maurya Johnson Martin Page to find her way home. Carol N. Boslet Marie Judge Bernard Prusak Patricia Byrne Madeleine Keehn Barry Selinsky NOVEMBER 8 – 20, 2016 TICKETS/ INFO: 610.519.7474 Catherine Cabot Frank Kenney Sheila Shannon WWW.VILLANOVATHEATRE.ORG William R. & Lillian Cassel Martha Kirby Elaine Sharer John Dismone Martha & Leo Kob Jacqueline Sigel Valerie Downing Joan & Jack Kramer Bill & Cathy Siple Eleanore Flom Edward & Gloria Kresch Terry & Joe Sousa Mary Jane Fullam Dr. Sarvesh & Gay Strickler Karen Gaffney Priscilla Kulkarni Lloyd B. Tepper Honorable John & Bob & Mary Lawler Joseph & Susann Anne Gartland Kent & Fran Leider Thompson Thomas & Susan and Leonard Lodish Francis J. Thorton Josephine Gudowicz Thomas R. Macaluso Joanne & Paul Tierney Sonja Haggert Dorothea D. Martin Mary Ellen Trainer Dick & Carolyn Hammond Dr. & Mrs. Edward McAssey James Weeks Jane & Walter Harrington Barbara Ann McCarraher Taylor Williams John A. Hermann & Mary Beth Miller Patricia Wood Delia Mullaney Peg & George Murphy Robert Wooten

Gifts of $25 and above are acknowledged in the program. If your name has been misprinted or omitted, or if you are interested in supporting Villanova Theatre, please contact: Kimberly Reilly, Director of Marketing & PR at (610) 519 - 7454 Villanova Theatre Presents CAST

Electra...... Kara Krichman Clytemnestra...... Megan Slater ELECTRA Chrysothemis...... Rachel O’Hanlon-Rodriguez Aegisthus...... Dan Cullen by Sophocles Orestes...... Patrick McAndrew Pylades...... Mike Franz adapted by Frank McGuinness Servant...... Chris Monaco Chorus...... Laura Barron, Kelly McAnally, Kasey Phillips, Megan Schumacher, Lexi Schreiber, Sisi Wright Scenic Designer Costume Designer RAJIV SHAH JANUS STEFANOWICZ PRODUCTION CREW

Stage Manager...... Rachel DelVecchio Lighting Designer Sound Designer Assistant Stage Managers...... Lee Stover, JEROLD R. FORSYTH JOHN STOVICEK Andrea Rumble-Moore, Rachel Abraham Stage Management Consultant...... Allison Emmerich Dramaturg Paint Designer...... Sharri Jerue LEXA GRACE Dance Captain...... Laura Barron Vocal Captain...... Lexi Schreiber Light Board Operator...... Andrea Rumble-Moore Master Electrician...... Michael Hamlet Directed by Cutter/Draper...... Jennifer Povish REV. DAVID CREGAN, OSA, PhD SPECIAL THANKS

Valentina DeNardis, Meghan Jones, Lisi Stossel, and Dirk Durossette. SEPTEMBER 20 - OCTOBER 2, 2016 Vasey Hall, Villanova Theatre

The video taping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of ELECTRA runs approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes with no intermission. this production or distributing recordings on any medium, including the internet, is Please silence all cell phones and electronic devices. strictly prohibited, a violation of the author’s rights and actionable under United States copyright law. “Electra (McGuinness, adapt.)” is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. For more information, please visit www.samuelfrench.com/whitepaper.

t t H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G Arizona Broadway Theatre, and New York City. He earned his BA in CAST AND CREW Broward Stagedoor Theatre. She Theater at Ursinus College, where G G G G G G G G G G G H H H H H H H H H H H t studied Commedia Dell’Arte in he studied improvisation intensively LAURA BARRON (Chorus) is a of the Examined ManTheatre acting Amsterdam with Teatro Punto. with renowned artist (and Villanova second-year graduate assistant in ensemble in New York, where he Favorite theatrical credits include Theatre alumna) Bobbi Block. Patrick costume construction who was last participated in the development of A Chorus Line (Val Clark), Xanadu has written, directed and produced his seen as Mae in A Wonderful Noise. new works. On film, he appeared (Kira/Clio), Legally Blonde: The own children’s play, The Get Better Laura served as an assistant stage as Clive in Clive Unger’s Madame Musical (Elle Woods), The Rocky Letter, and is a published author for his manager for Villanova Theatre’s X, for which he won Best Actor Horror Show (Janet Weiss) and children’s book, The Bad Day of Mr. production of Macbeth. Recently, she at the 2013 Winter Film Awards. Barefoot in the Park (Corie Bratter). Wolf. An award-winning musician, had the opportunity to choreograph and TV: The Goodwife, Elementary. he is also a percussionist, experienced teach children at Burlington County MIKE FRANZ (Pylades) is a second- in various musical styles including Footlighters and Wolf Performing Arts year graduate theatre student making KELLY MCANALLY (Chorus) jazz, rock, swing, Latin, and funk. Center, as well as to perform in Upper his Villanova Theatre debut. Last year, is a part-time graduate student in the Darby Summer Stage’s production Mike was active behind the scenes as Villanova Theatre Department and CHRIS MONACO (Servant) is a of Nice Work If You Can Get It as the light board operator for Macbeth, a full-time administrative assistant second-year graduate acting scholar the Duchess. Laura earned her BA and as an assistant stage manager for in Villanova’s Romance Languages who was last seen at Villanova Theatre in Musical Theatre from Seton Hill Translations. Mike earned his BA in and Literatures Department. Kelly as Chip in A Wonderful Noise and Owen University, where her favorite roles Theatre from DeSales University in earned her BA in Public Relations in Translations. A recent graduate of included Little Red Riding Hood in Center Valley, PA. His favorite DeSales and Communications from Temple Temple University’s Musical Theatre Into the Woods, Lady Macbeth in credits include Hansel in Hansel and University. She is an alumna of concentration, Chris’s favorite roles Macbeth, and Storyteller in Children Gretel, Fred Fitzpatrick in The Trial of Upper Darby Summer Stage, where include Joe Josephson in Merrily of Eden. Before pursuing her MA, she Ebenezer Scrooge, and Officer O’Hara she participated for six seasons, and We Roll Along, Melchior in Spring spent four years touring nationally in Arsenic and Old Lace. This summer, has performed in various school Awakening, and Reverend Hale in and overseas as a Tour Actor/Director Mike participated in the Abbey Summer productions and undergraduate The Crucible. He is an active member with Missoula Children’s Theatre. Studio through Villanova University workshops including Once Upon of the Upper Darby Summer Stage and produced scholarship on the plays a Mattress, Guys and Dolls, The program, having served this summer as DAN CULLEN (Aegisthus) is a of Moliere using the Abbey Theatre Importance of Being Earnest, and How an assistant director for their children’s second-year graduate acting scholar. Digital archives at NUI Galway. After I Learned to Drive. She is thrilled to be theatre program, showcase coordinator, He holds a BA in Theatre and a BM receiving his MA at Villanova, Mike making her Villanova Theatre debut. and director of The Fantasticks. Chris in Music Education from James would like to continue his studies has also been seen in their recent Madison University. He has been at another graduate program with PATRICK MCANDREW (Orestes) mainstage productions, including this seen in Villanova Theatre’s last three the hope of earning an MFA or PhD. is a second-year graduate assistant summer’s Nice Work If You Can Get productions: as Banquo in Macbeth, in set construction and lighting. Past It, in which he played Cookie McGee. as Mitch in A Wonderful Noise, and as KARA KRICHMAN (Electra) is a Villanova Theatre credits include Lancey in Translations. Previously he first-year graduate acting scholar Macbeth (Fleance, Servant). Favorite RACHEL O’HANLON- RODRIGUEZ has appeared on stage in Washington, from Point Pleasant Beach, credits include JB (Nickles), Black (Chrysothemis) is a second-year DC and New York. Favorite roles New Jersey. She earned her BA Comedy (Brindsley Miller), Noises Presidential Scholar and serves as include Lucky in Waiting for Godot, in Theatre Performance and a Off (Tim Allgood) and Sherlock the Media & Events Coordinator at Keith in Betty’s Summer Vacation, minor in Marketing from Wagner Holmes: The Valley of Fear (Inspector Villanova Theatre. She is thrilled to Romeo et al. in Shakespeare’s R&J, College. Kara has performed at Lestrade). He was most recently seen be on the stage at Villanova Theatre Tom in No, No Nanette, Sir Harry in various theatres around the country in the Philadelphia Fringe Festival as B following last season’s Eurydice (Big Once Upon a Mattress, and Harry including Palace Theatre, Waterfront in Crave. This summer, Patrick studied Stone) and Macbeth (MacDuff’s Houdini in Ragtime. He was a member with the Village Playback Theatre in Son). Rachel is a Philadelphia-

Playhouse,G G G G G SurflightG G G G G Theatre,G G G G G G G G G G G G H H H H H H H H H H H t H H H H H H H H H H H t

t t H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G based actress who has worked with Villanova alumna Amanda Coffin. year graduate assistant in costume diction and his use of irony are companies such as Flashpoint Theatre construction at Villanova Theatre. unmatched by his contemporaries. Company, EgoPo Classic Theater, MEGAN SCHUMACHER She is making her Villanova Theatre Invariably they face choices and Simpatico Theatre Project, and the (Chorus) is a first-year graduate debut in Electra. Sisi earned her make decisions that lead them Painted Bride Art Center. She serves student making her debut with BA in Theatre Arts from Sweet Briar through suffering to self- realization. as Development Associate for Kaleid Villanova Theatre. She looks College in Virginia. Her past roles The presence of the strong hand of Theatre, where she devises physical forward to taking advantage of the include Rose in The Secret Garden, fate and the undeniable existence theater pieces (kaleidtheatre.org), and many opportunities the Master’s Myfanwy Price in Under Milk Wood and power of the gods is often she recently served as a dramaturg in Theatre Program has to offer. at Sweet Briar Theatre; Esse in present in Sophocles’ plays. for Azuka Theatre’s production of Pathway to Freedom and Stupefyin’ How We Got On. Rachel earned her LEXI SCHREIBER (Chorus) is a Jones in Lil’ Abner at Snow Camp FRANK MCGUINNESS (Adaptor) BA from Rowan University, where second-year graduate student thrilled Outdoor Theatre; Dr. Eve Bolinger was born in Buncrana, Co. Donegal. she received the Joseph Robinette to be making her onstage Villanova in Sordid Lives at Renaissance He now lives in Dublin and lectures in Award for Excellence in Theater and Theatre debut in Electra. Last season, Theatre; and Holly in Terminal English at University College Dublin. Dance, and was a 2010 semi-finalist Lexi served as the Assistant Music Bar at The University of Virginia. His plays include: The Factory Girls for the Region II Kennedy Center Director for A Wonderful Noise. She (Abbey Theatre, Dublin, 1982), Baglady American College Theater Festival. graduated in 2014 with a BM in Vocal SOPHOCLES (Playwright) was (Abbey, 1985), Observe the Sons of Performance and a minor in Musical one of the great Greek tragedians. Ulster Marching Towards the Somme KASEY PHILLIPS (Chorus) is a Theatre from the University of the Arts. He authored around 120 dramas, (Abbey, 1985; Hampstead Theatre, second-year graduate merit scholar Some of Lexi’s favorite credits from including Oedipus the King, Antigone, London, 1986), Innocence (Gate working as the academic office UArts are; Broadway! On and Off, and Oedipus at Colonus, and won Theatre, Dublin, 1986), Carthaginians assistant for Villanova Theatre. A The British Invasion Concert, Music at least eighteen first prizes for (Abbey, 1988; Hampstead, 1989), Florida native, Kasey earned her BA from the Great White Way and The playwriting in the City Dionysia Mary and Lizzie (RSC, 1989), The in Theatre and Creative Writing from Last Five Years: A Concert. Some of - spring festivals held in honor of Bread Man (Gate, 1991), Someone Florida State University, where her her previous roles include: The Who’s Dionysus in Greek city-states. Among Who’ll Watch Over Me (Hampstead, favorite collaborative credit is devising Tommy (chorus), How to Succeed his contributions to the development West End and Broadway, 1992), and writing The Oedipus Complex, a in Business Without Really Trying of theater are the introduction of the The Bird Sanctuary (Abbey, 1994), twisted retelling of Sophocles’ Oedipus (Smitty) and West Side Story (Jet Girl). third actor, the invention of painted Mutabilitie (NT, 1997), Dolly West’s The King. She most recently moved scenery, and the introduction of a Kitchen (Abbey, 1999; Old Vic, 2000), from Virginia, where she worked at MEGAN SLATER (Clytemnestra) new style of music. Stages of Drama Gates of Gold (Gate, 2002), Speaking Busch Gardens (Williamsburg), first as is a first-year graduate acting scholar expounds that “he increased the size Like Magpies (Swan, Stratford, 2005), a stage manager for an Olympic-style who is thrilled to be making her of the chorus from twelve to fifteen There Came a Gypsy Riding (Almeida, diving show, then as a production stage Villanova Theatre debut. Locally, members, he actually reduced its London, 2007), Greta Garbo Came manager for an outdoor Christmas Megan has worked with the Arden functions, confining its activities to Donegal (Tricycle Theatre, Ballet, and finally as the company’s Theatre Company, Azuka Theatre, almost exclusively to choral odes and London, 2010) and The Match Box full-time Show Operations Supervisor. BRAT Productions, Flashpoint Theatre leaving it little opportunity to interact (Liverpool Playhouse Studio, 2012). In her new home in Philadelphia, Company, Luna Theatre, The National with the characters,” thereby placing His widely performed adaptations Kasey has just finished the summer Constitution Center, Philadelphia greater emphasis on the individual. include Ibsen’s Rosmersholm (1987), as the Intern Coordinator at People’s Artists’ Collective, Philadelphia As a playwright, he was a master Peer Gynt (1988), Hedda Gabler Light, and will be continuing Shakespeare Theatre, PlayPenn, craftsman who carefully planned (1994), A Doll’s House (1997), The ensemble work and collaboration on Revolution Shakespeare, Simpatico exposition and intricately developed Lady from the Sea (2008) and John Simone, a devised piece on the life of Theatre Project, and The Wilma Theatre. complications to create moving Gabriel Borkman (2010); Chekhov’s French feminist Simone de Beauvoir, recognition scenes and heartrending, Three Sisters (1990) and Uncle written and directed by recent SISI WRIGHT (Chorus) is a first- often ironic, reversals. Both Sophocles’ Vanya (1995); Lorca’s Yerma (1987); G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G H H H H H H H H H H H t H H H H H H H H H H H t

t t H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera (1991) Theater Company, Idiopathic Company, Bristol Riverside Theatre, include stage managing last year’s and The Caucasian Chalk Circle Ridiculopathy Consortium, Inis Nua Venture Theatre, Philadelphia mainstage production of Translations (1997); Sophocles’ Electra (1998) Theatre Company, The Berserker Festival Theatre for New Plays, and and the studio production of Evaluation and Oedipus (2008); Ostrovsky’s Residents, Swim Pony Performing Philadelphia Drama Guild. Additional Room. This summer, Lexa served as The Storm (1998); Strindberg’s Miss Arts, Amaryllis Theatre Company, East Coast credits: Kennedy Center, the Villanova intern at The Abbey Julie (2000); Euripides’ Hecuba and Burlington County College. New York Shakespeare Festival, Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. Outside of (2004) and Helen (2009); Racine’s Lincoln Center Theatre, York Theatre Villanova, Lexa has worked nationally Phaedra (2006) and Tirso de JANUS STEFANOWICZ (Costume Company, Village Theatre Company, as a costumer, producer, and director Molina’s Damned by Despair (2012). Designer) is Villanova Theatre’s Opera Ebony - New York, and Palm with companies such as Santa Cruz resident costume designer and Beach DramaWorks. Jerold has been Shakespeare, Venice Theatre, The REV. DAVID CREGAN, OSA, Costume Shop Manager. She has nominated 13 times for Barrymore Chairman Entertainment Group, PHD (Director) is Chair of the designed costumes for the Arden Awards, twice receiving the Barrymore and Punchdrunk’s New York City Theatre,Department and an Associate Theatre Company, Delaware Theatre Award for Outstanding Lighting production of Sleep No More. Lexa is Professor at Villanova. Fr. David Company, People’s Light, Philadelphia Design. He has twice received “Most thrilled and incredibly grateful to have received his Ph.D. in Drama Studies at Theatre Company, The Wilma Theater, Notable Lighting Design” citations served as the dramaturg for Electra. the Samuel Beckett School of Drama at Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, from The Philadelphia Inquirer. Mr. Trinity College Dublin. Before joining the 2013 Philadelphia International Forsyth has consulted on theatrical RACHEL DELVECCHIO (Stage the Augustinians he spent four years Theatre Festival, The Lantern Theatre lighting systems for Delaware County Manager) is a second-year graduate in New York City working as a Company, Theatre Horizon, and Community College, Pennsylvania props assistant at Villanova Theatre, professional actor. Since returning to Hedgerow Theatre Company. Janus Institute of Technology, The Wilma where she appeared last season as Rose Villanova in 2004, he has appeared has received 16 Barrymore Award Theatre, and The Playground at the in A Wonderful Noise. Rachel graduated twice on stage: in Cabaret (2009) nominations for Outstanding Costume Adrienne. In addition, Mr. Forsyth from Bloomsburg University in 2013 and Parade (2004). During his time Design, for Villanova Theatre’s The designed a unique art gallery with a degree in Integrated Theatre on campus, Fr. David has directed Tempest, Parade, Chicago, Children lighting system for the Bethlehem Arts. During her years at Bloomsburg, Everyman, Salomé, Woman and of Eden, Into the Woods, Candide, and House Contemporary Art Gallery. she participated in over 20 shows, Scarecrow, Three Days of Rain, Evita; Cheltenham Center for the Arts’ both onstage and behind the scenes. Uncommon Women and Others, The Illusion; Philadelphia Theatre JOHN STOVICEK (Sound Designer) Upon graduation, she was the Assistant Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, Company’s Intimate Apparel (2006 is grateful for the opportunity to work Stage Manager at the Pines Dinner Dead Man Walking, Godspell, Murder Barrymore Award winner); The Wilma with Fr. Cregan, the students of the Theatre in Allentown, PA for their in the Cathedral, and Fallen Angels. Theater’s The Invention of Love, Magic program, and to create sound and music production of Here Comes the Bride. Fire, Big Love (2003 Barrymore Award for Villanova Theatre once again. His She also worked in the box office at RAJIV SHAH (Scenic Designer) is winner), Galileo and Age of Arousal. most recent composition credit was last the State Theatre in Easton, PA, stage honored to be designing for Villanova season’s production of Driving Miss managed a production of Miracle on Theatre for the first time since JEROLD R. FORSYTH (Lighting Daisy at Act II Playhouse directed by 34th Street, and performed in Seussical graduating from Temple University Designer) has designed over 300 VU professor emeritus James Christy. the Musical (Sour Kangaroo) for The in 2001. From 2002 to 2013, Raj productions to date. Philadelphia Phillipsburg Summer Youth Theatre. toured internationally and nationally credits include designs for The Wilma LEXA GRACE (Dramaturg) is a Rachel spent six summers working for various companies. Between tours, Theater, Villanova Theatre, Amaryllis second-year graduate student in the with Prestige Productions in Easton, Raj worked as a Technical Director for Theatre, Philadelphia Shakespeare Villanova Theatre Department and PA teaching 1st-3rd grade children Philadelphia area theatre companies. Theatre, Simpatico Theatre Project, a full-time graduate assistant in the theatre and co-directing their final He built scenery for Orbiter 3, Arden Theatre Company, Walnut costume shop. She will be graduating recital. She is a graduate of Freedom Lucidity Suitcase Intercontinental, Pig Street Theatre, InterAct Theatre in May with an MA in Theatre and High School in Bethlehem, PA. Iron, the Philadelphia International Company, American Music Theatre an MPA certificate in Nonprofit Festival of the Arts, Lantern Festival, People’s Light & Theatre Management. Past Villanova credits G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H t t Greek Theatre Somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000 The audience would sit in raised seating of the orchestra lived the skene. The costumes. The combination of the skene, Athenian male citizens and foreign that wrapped around the base of the skene was a tall structure that represented orchestra, and theatron, made Greek diplomats would attend the City Dionysia Acropolis in a semicircle formation. In a palace. In addition to giving Greek theatres marvelous and incredibly large each year. The performances took place the center was the orchestra where drama a setting, the skene allowed for the venues. outdoors near a mountainside in what is performances and sacrifices would take three actors used in each performance to known as a theatron or “seeing-space.” place throughout the six days. In the back go backstage and change their masks and The Trojan War begins. The story of Agamemnon Agamemnon, king of continues with him Mycenae sacrifices his returning to Mycenae, daughter Iphigenia to where he is killed the goddess Artemis in by Clytemnestra and order to ensure that his Aegisthus. Electra, ships can sail to Troy. the oldest daughter After Agamemnon of Agamemnon and leaves, his wife Legend has it that the Clytemnestra, saves her Clytemnestra begins an Trojan War ends and younger brother Orestes affair with his cousin Agamemnon sails home by giving him to a and sworn enemy with his concubine servant who takes him to Aegisthus. Cassandra. Phocis. Sophocles’ Inclusion of 1193 BCE 1183 BCE 1182 BCE The Female Perspective

Homer lives and writes Aeschylus lives and The myth of Agamemnon’s murder and fully developed individual. The myth of the House The Odyssey. This is the writes The Oresteia, and Orestes’ revenge became the Neither Homer nor Aeschylus pay of Atreus ends when first written mention of a theatrical trilogy subject of several Greek works of art, much attention to the sacrifice or Orestes returns to Agamemnon’s murder that elaborates on all of which have a slightly different grief of Electra and neither one Mycenae to avenge his by Clytemnestra and and alters the story of take on the story. Most retellings of mentions Chrysothemis, the second father’s murder. He Aegisthus. Agamemnon’s murder the legend, such as Homer’s Odyssey oldest daughter of Agamemnon and kills Clytemnestra and by making Clytemnestra and Aeschylus’ Oresteia, focus on Clytemnestra. It is not until Sophocles’ Aegisthus. 750-700 the central killer. The the violent murders committed. This Electra that the female perspectives in 1174 BCE series continues with the makes Sophocles one of the only the story begin to come through. BCE story of Orestes’ return artists who considers and focuses Sophocles devotes his entire play to Mycenae to avenge Electra’s perspective. to exploring female grief: Electra his father. He kills Homer’s Odyssey mentions the laments the death of her father; Clytemnestra, is put on murder of Agamemnon by Aegisthus Clytemnestra grieves the loss of her trial for matricide, and with the help of Clytemnestra. daughter Iphigenia; and Chrysothemis ultimately acquitted. Homer positions Clytemnestra as reveals her hidden mourning for the an accomplice in the plotting of the death of her father and absence of her 525-456 murder, but only so he can use her brother. All three women are clear, as an example of the evilness of powerful, and complex individuals BCE unfaithful women. Aeschylus, on the dealing with grief in one way or other hand, gives Clytemnestra agency another. This suggests that Sophocles Sophocles lives and writes by having her commit the murder was more interested in writing about Electra. This is one of the first of Agamemnon herself. However, women’s experiences with grief, than instances of Electra becoming Aeschylus still paints Clytemnestra as in simply recreating the violent actions a central character within this an evil villain, instead of a complex committed by men. myth. Euripides (480-406) lives and writes his version of Electra, “If I’d been left alone, I’d have done one of two things — " in which Electra herself helps live or die like a brave woman.” commit the actual murder of Frank McGuinness Frank McGuinness — Electra from Sophocles’ Electra Clytemnestra. is born. adapts Sophocles’ Electra. 496-406 BCE 1953 AD 1997 AD Timeline Timeline H Frank McGuinness “I remember once going to the Picasso Museum, and on the wall there were four very quick sketches of Le Déjeuner Sur l’Herbe - very quick, rough sketch- es. And I looked at them and they were all different, and they were all evidence of Picasso’s obsession with the painting; he was recording different ways of see- ing. That’s exactly what I want to do. It’s me thinking about a play and brooding on a play. I make absolutely no scholarly claims. But I have to be able to share the obsession through my writing.” -Frank McGuinness " The " t Chorus

ancient Greek tragedy, their actions. These comments usually the chorus was a group of indicated to the audience how they IN twelve (increased to fifteen should feel towards the actions of the by Sophocles in the 5th century) main characters. In Sophocles’ Electra, men doing military service. The the chorus pities Electra despite city-state of Athens required military her inappropriate lamentations, and men to serve in the chorus so that prays for Orestes to come home and they could showcase Athens’ power. avenge his father’s death. This would Productions would also try to show off have modeled for a Greek audience the wealth of Athens by having a rich how they were supposed to react to man (named a choregus) fund entire Electra’s mourning. productions. The chorus would wear While the chorus provided opinions fantastical mask and costumes, despite on the action of the play, they never the fact that their characters were often did so quietly or while standing still. of lower classes. Most of the choral dialogue is written Greek tragedians made the chorus in strophes and antistrophes, which lower class, so that everyone in the is a poetic structure that dictated the audience could relate to the chorus. In movement of the chorus on each set many ways, the chorus was supposed of lines. In addition, the chorus often to represent the feelings of an “ideal sung their lines in unison, in order to audience member” throughout the make a fuller and more spectacular play. The chorus would interact with performance for the audience. H the main characters and comment on

VILLANOVA THEATRE FACULTY City Dionysia David Cregan, OSA, PhD...... Chairperson; Gender, Politics and Performance; Modern Irish Drama; Acting; Voice & Movement Between 511 and 508 BCE, the wealthy oligarchies throughout Greece were Andrew Blasenak, PhD...... Riots and Controversies failing and being replaced with democracies. Athens was the largest city-state Michael Hollinger, MA...... Solo Performance; Playwriting; Songwriting with a population of over 200,000 people, 40,000 of whom were considered James Ijames, MFA...... Acting, Collaborative Theatre citizens. This made Athens the cultural, artistic, and political center of Greece. Valerie Joyce, PhD...... Musical Theatre; Script Analysis; Teaching of Theatre; Acting Harriet Power, MFA...... Directing; Acting/Directing Styles; Creativity As a way to demonstrate this power, Athens created a six-day festival in March, Chelsea Phillips, PhD...... Dramaturgy; Acting known as the City Dionysia. The festival was held in honor of Dionysus, the Greek Joanna Settle, MFA...... Directing god of wine and theater, and was full of performances, sacrifices, and spectacle. Professors Emeriti...... James J. Christy, Joanna Rotté

VILLANOVA THEATRE STAFF The myth of the Curse on the House of Parris Bradley ...... Production Manager The Curse Atreus began with Atreus’ father Pelops. Eileen Ciccarone...... Audience Services Manager on the House of Atreus Pelops was in love with King Oenomaus’ Elisa Loprete Hibbs ...... Business Manager daughter Hippodamia. In order to win her Michael Hollinger ...... Associate Artistic Director hand in marriage, Pelops challenged King Jennifer Povish...... Cutter/Draper Kimberly Reilly ...... Director of Marketing & Public Relations Oenomaus to a chariot race. Pelops ensured Janus Stefanowicz ...... Costume Shop Manager that he would win the race, by asking Ashley Leamon...... Office Manager Martilus, King Oenomaus’ charioteer, Sharri Jerue ...... Properties Master & Scenic Charge if he would take out a peg from one of Rajiv Shah...... Technical Director

King Oenomaus’ chariot wheels. Martilus GRADUATE ASSISTANTS AND SCHOLARS agreed to do so, if Pelops promised that Costume Construction...... Laura Barron, Casey Berner, Lexa Grace, Sisi Wright he could have Hippodamia’s virginity. Properties Construction & Scenic Artists ...... Alexandra Curth, Rachel DelVecchio Pelops agreed and Martilus removed a peg Set Construction ...... Leo Bond, Patrick McAndrew, from King Oenomaus’ chariot, causing Lize Meisenzahl, Andrea Rumble-Moore him to crash and die. This left Pelops Marketing/Public Relations ...... Ann Marley Acting Scholars ...... Dan Cullen, Kara Krichman, Chris Monaco, Megan Slater and Hippodamia free to get married. Research Scholar...... Alexandra King When Martilus asked Pelops about taking Merit Scholars...... Rachel O’Hanlon-Rodriguez, Kasey Phillips Hippodamia’s virginity, Pelops pushed him off a cliff. As Martilus was falling, he PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS cursed Pelops’ bloodline. Academic Office Staff...... Alexandra King, Kasey Phillips, Lexi Schreiber Marketing and PR Intern...... Matthew Moorehead Pelops and Hippodamia then went on Assistant Production Manager...... Rachel DelVecchio to have several children including Atreus Media & Events Coordinator...... Rachel O’Hanlon-Rodriguez (Agamemnon’s father and Electra’s Assistant Box Office Manager...... Kevin Esmond grandfather) and Thyestes (Aegisthus’ Box Office Assistants...... Raymond Dengler, Norbert Dengler, Meghan Galvin, Molly Lake, Marisa Nwoke, Michael Valentine, Austin Wild father). Once Atreus and Thyestes had Assistants to Costume Designer...... Laura Barron, Sisi Wright grown, they were banished to Mycenae. Wardrobe Managers...... Kellie Joyce, Nkemka Obineche They obeyed this order and retreated to Anastasia Schweiger Mycenae where they fought over the Costume Technicians...... Deborah Alvarenga, Aileen Bancroft, Sydney Blasi, Allyce Morrissey, Andrea Rumble-Moore, throne for their entire lives. This bloody Megan Schumacher, Mary Kate Shea fight for political power and justice Carpenters...... Chris Bowers, Mark Bowers, Dan Cullen, continued down the family bloodline as Nathaniel Durana, Marissa Kennedy, Lauren Webb an effect of Martilus’ curse. It is not until Properties Construction & Scenic Artists...... Sabrina Carter, Luke Hensley, Alexandra Laird, Courtney Lees, Heather Lemos, Kyla Mani, Orestes returns to Mycenae and avenges Josh McIlvain, Mary Pat Norton, his father’s death, that the curse is lifted. Lexi Schreiber, Caroline Seymour WILLIAM MASTALSKI, CFP Villanova ‘78 M.A

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