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Metamorphoses

Presented by ZACH Theatre at Zach Scott Kleberg Stage

August 5-September 26, 2010

Avg. Event Rating (3.5 Stars):
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With the audience seated intimately around a circular swimming pool, Ovid's beautiful myths about miraculous transformations are brought to exuberant and inventive life in the water by ZACH's ensemble of Austin actors in a visually stunning production. The transformational power of love, the inevitability of change, and the human ability to adapt are all explored in this humorous, moving and heart-felt adaptation of our shared cultural myths.

 

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  • Venue Info

    Zach Scott Kleberg Stage

    ZACH’s Kleberg Stage
    1421 W. Riverside Dr
    Austin, TX 78704

    Full map and directions

  • Admission Info

    Regular Ticket Info:

    $20-$45

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  • Dates & Times

    Dates:
    August 5-September 26, 2010

    Times:
    

    Wed-Sat 8pm Sun 2pm

  • Accessibility Info

    Currently, no accessibility information is available for this event.

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    Currently, additional images/videos have not been submitted for this event.

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: Metamorphoses
      "Greek Myths for Dummies"
      Review posted by: kholenkhov from Austin, TX, Aug 17, 2010
      

      Metamorphoses is an episodic adaptation of Ovid's epic poem. Unfortunately the production struggles to build on the theme of change that links the myths in any meaningful way. As a result it works... Expand

      Metamorphoses is an episodic adaptation of Ovid's epic poem. Unfortunately the production struggles to build on the theme of change that links the myths in any meaningful way. As a result it works primarily as an exercise in theatrical storytelling (the cleverness in which they update the myths making them accessible) more so than a resonant piece of art with a message. That being said, the theatricality is something to see. The aerialists and their acrobatics during the show are no doubt the highlight of the production. And many of Dave Steakley's choices in staging are quite amusing, and at times striking. The actors are, for the most part, very good and provide a commendable ensemble in telling these classic tales, some familiar and some not. But it is only in the the production's final vignettes (beginning with Psyche and Eros leading up to the final image of redemption) that we truly begin to feel the spectacle has a soul. Collapse

    • Event Name: Metamorphoses
      "Metamorphic Imaginations"
      Review posted by: Road Warrior from Austin, TX USA, Aug 12, 2010
      

      If you think you don't have any imagination, not to worry. Dave Steakley has enough going on for all of us in his stunning Metamorphoses. With a cast that looks like they just jumped off of Grecian... Expand

      If you think you don't have any imagination, not to worry. Dave Steakley has enough going on for all of us in his stunning Metamorphoses. With a cast that looks like they just jumped off of Grecian Urns, this show, in the tradition of story theatre is all about the director. With enough humor to balance some of the darker stories, it is a delight. Some contemporary takes on some of the gods helps put things in perspective. One nice touch was when an Apple computer showed up for a brief appearance....talk about a god. Oh, and there's lots of water and flying and total theatre in that small space. Cudos to the collaboration, the designers, and all of the wonderful imagination. And although the script isn't that strong, it is consumed by the telling of the stories in amazing ways. Highly recommended. Collapse

    • Event Name: Metamorphoses
      "Wear your swimming suit - You will get wet"
      Review posted by: A Casual Observer from Austin, Texas, Aug 12, 2010
      

      It is very unique to have a pool as the center stage, and so I was quite curious to see this play. The costumes were impressive, and the Blue Lapis aerialists arriving and departing the stage via... Expand

      It is very unique to have a pool as the center stage, and so I was quite curious to see this play. The costumes were impressive, and the Blue Lapis aerialists arriving and departing the stage via ropes to the ceiling were also spectacular. However, all this plus Dave Steakley’s creative touches on the play could not compensate for the script which was dull and slow-moving. Although the old Greek Stories were re-told with some modern updates, there was no thread that tied them together. Characters arrive and leave the stage with no apparent connection. Actors talk about themselves in the third person which makes no sense in live theater. I recommend that you save your money and see “Drowsy Chaperone” on Zach’s other stage instead. Collapse

    • Event Name: Metamorphoses
      ""Ovid for Today""
      Review posted by: Zelda Austen from Austin, Texas, Aug 11, 2010
      

      This is a lovely theatre piece. Performed at the rim of a pool, in it, or in the air by wonderful aerialists, it tells some of Ovid's stories of young lovers who suffer such anguish from death or... Expand

      This is a lovely theatre piece. Performed at the rim of a pool, in it, or in the air by wonderful aerialists, it tells some of Ovid's stories of young lovers who suffer such anguish from death or doubt or greed or fear that they beg to be transformed, and are, into animals, birds, trees, by the pity of the gods, who cause some of their suffering. The actors are fit, great to look at, and very good; my only quibble was with their extreme regional accents, they need more voice training to overcome the American twang. But the beauty of the material, the cast, their athleticism, and the writing of the grand poet combine to make this special and uplifting. Some of the stories, Midas who transforms his daughter into a golden statue, Eros and Psyche, Orpheus and Eurydice, are familiar, others delightfully not. David Steakley to be commended for putting on something quite unusual, which deserved its Tony when it played in NY in 2001. Collapse

• Media
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  • All Media Gallery

    Currently, additional images/videos have not been submitted for this event.

• Member
  Reviews

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: Metamorphoses
      "Greek Myths for Dummies"
      Review posted by: kholenkhov from Austin, TX, Aug 17, 2010
      

      Metamorphoses is an episodic adaptation of Ovid's epic poem. Unfortunately the production struggles to build on the theme of change that links the myths in any meaningful way. As a result it works... Expand

      Metamorphoses is an episodic adaptation of Ovid's epic poem. Unfortunately the production struggles to build on the theme of change that links the myths in any meaningful way. As a result it works primarily as an exercise in theatrical storytelling (the cleverness in which they update the myths making them accessible) more so than a resonant piece of art with a message. That being said, the theatricality is something to see. The aerialists and their acrobatics during the show are no doubt the highlight of the production. And many of Dave Steakley's choices in staging are quite amusing, and at times striking. The actors are, for the most part, very good and provide a commendable ensemble in telling these classic tales, some familiar and some not. But it is only in the the production's final vignettes (beginning with Psyche and Eros leading up to the final image of redemption) that we truly begin to feel the spectacle has a soul. Collapse

    • Event Name: Metamorphoses
      "Metamorphic Imaginations"
      Review posted by: Road Warrior from Austin, TX USA, Aug 12, 2010
      

      If you think you don't have any imagination, not to worry. Dave Steakley has enough going on for all of us in his stunning Metamorphoses. With a cast that looks like they just jumped off of Grecian... Expand

      If you think you don't have any imagination, not to worry. Dave Steakley has enough going on for all of us in his stunning Metamorphoses. With a cast that looks like they just jumped off of Grecian Urns, this show, in the tradition of story theatre is all about the director. With enough humor to balance some of the darker stories, it is a delight. Some contemporary takes on some of the gods helps put things in perspective. One nice touch was when an Apple computer showed up for a brief appearance....talk about a god. Oh, and there's lots of water and flying and total theatre in that small space. Cudos to the collaboration, the designers, and all of the wonderful imagination. And although the script isn't that strong, it is consumed by the telling of the stories in amazing ways. Highly recommended. Collapse

    • Event Name: Metamorphoses
      "Wear your swimming suit - You will get wet"
      Review posted by: A Casual Observer from Austin, Texas, Aug 12, 2010
      

      It is very unique to have a pool as the center stage, and so I was quite curious to see this play. The costumes were impressive, and the Blue Lapis aerialists arriving and departing the stage via... Expand

      It is very unique to have a pool as the center stage, and so I was quite curious to see this play. The costumes were impressive, and the Blue Lapis aerialists arriving and departing the stage via ropes to the ceiling were also spectacular. However, all this plus Dave Steakley’s creative touches on the play could not compensate for the script which was dull and slow-moving. Although the old Greek Stories were re-told with some modern updates, there was no thread that tied them together. Characters arrive and leave the stage with no apparent connection. Actors talk about themselves in the third person which makes no sense in live theater. I recommend that you save your money and see “Drowsy Chaperone” on Zach’s other stage instead. Collapse

    • Event Name: Metamorphoses
      ""Ovid for Today""
      Review posted by: Zelda Austen from Austin, Texas, Aug 11, 2010
      

      This is a lovely theatre piece. Performed at the rim of a pool, in it, or in the air by wonderful aerialists, it tells some of Ovid's stories of young lovers who suffer such anguish from death or... Expand

      This is a lovely theatre piece. Performed at the rim of a pool, in it, or in the air by wonderful aerialists, it tells some of Ovid's stories of young lovers who suffer such anguish from death or doubt or greed or fear that they beg to be transformed, and are, into animals, birds, trees, by the pity of the gods, who cause some of their suffering. The actors are fit, great to look at, and very good; my only quibble was with their extreme regional accents, they need more voice training to overcome the American twang. But the beauty of the material, the cast, their athleticism, and the writing of the grand poet combine to make this special and uplifting. Some of the stories, Midas who transforms his daughter into a golden statue, Eros and Psyche, Orpheus and Eurydice, are familiar, others delightfully not. David Steakley to be commended for putting on something quite unusual, which deserved its Tony when it played in NY in 2001. Collapse

• Media
  Reviews

  • Media Reviews

    There are currently no media reviews for this event.