THEATRE
Eurydice
Presented by
Different Stages
at
The City Theatre
January 8-January 30, 2010
Avg. Event Rating (3.0 Stars):
Add Review/Comment
|
Read Reviews/Comments
Comment on Facebook
From the acclaimed playwright of The Clean House comes this beautiful and devastating story about love and choice. In Sarah Ruhl’s re–imagining of the Orpheus myth, Eurydice’s tragic misstep on her wedding day sends her tumbling into the depths of the Underworld, where she is reunited with her father. Memories are forbidden and language is altered in this world of the dead. Her father re–educates her, while her husband searches for a note she will hear. Will the three find the means to communicate across the divide between life and death?
-
At-a-
Glance
-
Venue Info
The City Theatre
3823 Airport Boulevard
Austin, TX 78722
Full map and directions
-
Admission Info
Tickets: $15-$30 "Pick Your Price"
**Priority seating, will be seated first come first serve with highest ticket prices receiving best seats**
Info Phone: 512-474-8497
Email
Buy Tickets
-
Dates & Times
Dates:
January 8-January 30, 2010
Times:
Thursday-Saturday Shows: 8PM
Sunday Matinees: 2PM
-
Accessibility Info
Currently, no accessibility information is available for this event.
-
Video & Image Gallery
Currently, additional images/videos have not been submitted for this event.
-
Member Reviews
Add review/comment
-
Event Name: Eurydice
"Euridyce"
Review
posted by:
Anonymous
from austin,
Jan 18, 2010
I was interested in seeing this play because I am a fan of Sarah Ruhl's "Clean House" and "In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play)." I was aware going in that this script was more surreal than these...
Expand
I was interested in seeing this play because I am a fan of Sarah Ruhl's "Clean House" and "In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play)." I was aware going in that this script was more surreal than these others, but never having attended a Different Stages production, I didn't know what to expect regarding the production values. Unfortunately, I was disappointed from the very first scene when the two leading actors' voices did not project well over the water sound cue. Granted, it was opening night, and perhaps they have since worked out some of the technical issues. This is a challenging script to bring to life, especially on a limited budget. The actors were well cast, though many scenes would have benefited from more spontaneity, playfulness and connection between the characters. I applaud Different Stages for choosing this unconventional script, which is likely to intrigue audience members who enjoy something a little....different.
Collapse
-
Event Name: Eurydice
"Fascinating if imperfect"
Review
posted by:
Seymour
from Austin, TX,
Jan 13, 2010
Eurydice is a challenging piece, for both the performers and the audience. It's a meditation on loss told primarily through the eyes of the dead. The stagecraft is interesting and the production's...
Expand
Eurydice is a challenging piece, for both the performers and the audience. It's a meditation on loss told primarily through the eyes of the dead. The stagecraft is interesting and the production's most successful moments are when depicting this unique view of the afterlife. The biggest flaw is that the connection between the three central characters isn't strongly felt enough to make us want to wade through this dark world, and as such, Marc Balaster and the chorus of stones steal the show, as their cynical view of life is most deeply felt. Nicole Swahn as the title character manages some lovely moments as well, with her final monologue providing one of the few truly heartbreaking moments in the evening. Not perfect theatre, but undeniably fascinating for those willing to be challenged (a guaranteed conversation starter) with slick staging and powerful imagery. The polished shell just needs a stronger soul to be really something special.
Collapse
-
Event Name: Eurydice
"Not my favorite"
Review
posted by:
A Casual Observer
from Austin, TX,
Jan 11, 2010
If you enjoy Greek myths set in the Theater of the Absurd, this play may be for you. For example, the stones talk and cry, and the elevator requires an umbrella, because it rains inside. Much of the...
Expand
If you enjoy Greek myths set in the Theater of the Absurd, this play may be for you. For example, the stones talk and cry, and the elevator requires an umbrella, because it rains inside. Much of the acting was well done; however, the play seemed to drag too often. For example, the father spent too much time building a room onstage in silence, and then more time taking it down. I remain confused by the playwright and her intentions. For example, what happens at the end? (I hate to give it away.) Also, why does the protagonist call her husband so that he disobeys his orders, turns around, and she dies again? Why do the rocks chastise anyone who shows emotion, and then break down and weep themselves? I remained confused and bored too much of the time, but the costumes and make-up were very well done.
Collapse
-
Event Name: Eurydice
"Eurydice in Wonderland"
Review
posted by:
Anonymous
from Austin, TX,
Jan 11, 2010
I can certainly see the appeal of this script—it’s a
modern-day retelling of a Greek myth with a
reversed perspective. Ruhl’s treatment makes the
myth, at times, relatable, and at other...
Expand
I can certainly see the appeal of this script—it’s a
modern-day retelling of a Greek myth with a
reversed perspective. Ruhl’s treatment makes the
myth, at times, relatable, and at other times,
distancing and obscure--almost secretive. We’re
able to travel to the underworld with Eurydice, and
this production makes it an almost Alice in
Wonderland journey of oddities and learning how to
communicate. Rubin, Blackwell, and McCann, as
The Chorus of Stones, were wonderfully dry and
eerie, with their sly glances, unison orders and
gray, dusty garb. They were the highlight for me.
Marc Balester was highly entertaining, smarmy and
strangely adept at maneuvering a tricycle. The rest
has room for growth, and seeing as this was
opening weekend, there's time for this to evolve
throughout the run.
Collapse
-
Event Name: Eurydice
"Are You Up To The Challenge?"
Review
posted by:
Steven Fearing
from Austin, Texas,
Jan 11, 2010
Familiarity with the original Eurydice and Orpheus Greek myth will not help you that much to understand playwright Sarah Ruhl’s very personal adaptation, Eurydice, playing at City Theatre. The...
Expand
Familiarity with the original Eurydice and Orpheus Greek myth will not help you that much to understand playwright Sarah Ruhl’s very personal adaptation, Eurydice, playing at City Theatre. The play could use the actual sweet sounds of Orpheus’ lyre to counter Ruhl's harsh and sometimes cryptic surrealism that gives much to challenge an audience member – especially on the subject of “father loss,” which is not part of the Greek version at all. All performances are adequate to stellar. Nicole Swahn is fantastic as Eurydice and Marc Balester captures the suave comedic sensibility of the Lord of the Underworld. The trio of actors who play the Stones possibly steal the show; it is hard to take your eyes and ears away from their make-up, costumes, and aphoristic exhortations. Yet Ruhl may have over-reached here for most audiences – it may be too self-referential to prevent audiences from wanting to “look back,” appropriately not repeating the weakness of Orpheus.
Collapse
-
Media
Gallery
-
Member
Reviews
-
Member Reviews
Add review/comment
-
Event Name: Eurydice
"Euridyce"
Review
posted by:
Anonymous
from austin,
Jan 18, 2010
I was interested in seeing this play because I am a fan of Sarah Ruhl's "Clean House" and "In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play)." I was aware going in that this script was more surreal than these...
Expand
I was interested in seeing this play because I am a fan of Sarah Ruhl's "Clean House" and "In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play)." I was aware going in that this script was more surreal than these others, but never having attended a Different Stages production, I didn't know what to expect regarding the production values. Unfortunately, I was disappointed from the very first scene when the two leading actors' voices did not project well over the water sound cue. Granted, it was opening night, and perhaps they have since worked out some of the technical issues. This is a challenging script to bring to life, especially on a limited budget. The actors were well cast, though many scenes would have benefited from more spontaneity, playfulness and connection between the characters. I applaud Different Stages for choosing this unconventional script, which is likely to intrigue audience members who enjoy something a little....different.
Collapse
-
Event Name: Eurydice
"Fascinating if imperfect"
Review
posted by:
Seymour
from Austin, TX,
Jan 13, 2010
Eurydice is a challenging piece, for both the performers and the audience. It's a meditation on loss told primarily through the eyes of the dead. The stagecraft is interesting and the production's...
Expand
Eurydice is a challenging piece, for both the performers and the audience. It's a meditation on loss told primarily through the eyes of the dead. The stagecraft is interesting and the production's most successful moments are when depicting this unique view of the afterlife. The biggest flaw is that the connection between the three central characters isn't strongly felt enough to make us want to wade through this dark world, and as such, Marc Balaster and the chorus of stones steal the show, as their cynical view of life is most deeply felt. Nicole Swahn as the title character manages some lovely moments as well, with her final monologue providing one of the few truly heartbreaking moments in the evening. Not perfect theatre, but undeniably fascinating for those willing to be challenged (a guaranteed conversation starter) with slick staging and powerful imagery. The polished shell just needs a stronger soul to be really something special.
Collapse
-
Event Name: Eurydice
"Not my favorite"
Review
posted by:
A Casual Observer
from Austin, TX,
Jan 11, 2010
If you enjoy Greek myths set in the Theater of the Absurd, this play may be for you. For example, the stones talk and cry, and the elevator requires an umbrella, because it rains inside. Much of the...
Expand
If you enjoy Greek myths set in the Theater of the Absurd, this play may be for you. For example, the stones talk and cry, and the elevator requires an umbrella, because it rains inside. Much of the acting was well done; however, the play seemed to drag too often. For example, the father spent too much time building a room onstage in silence, and then more time taking it down. I remain confused by the playwright and her intentions. For example, what happens at the end? (I hate to give it away.) Also, why does the protagonist call her husband so that he disobeys his orders, turns around, and she dies again? Why do the rocks chastise anyone who shows emotion, and then break down and weep themselves? I remained confused and bored too much of the time, but the costumes and make-up were very well done.
Collapse
-
Event Name: Eurydice
"Eurydice in Wonderland"
Review
posted by:
Anonymous
from Austin, TX,
Jan 11, 2010
I can certainly see the appeal of this script—it’s a
modern-day retelling of a Greek myth with a
reversed perspective. Ruhl’s treatment makes the
myth, at times, relatable, and at other...
Expand
I can certainly see the appeal of this script—it’s a
modern-day retelling of a Greek myth with a
reversed perspective. Ruhl’s treatment makes the
myth, at times, relatable, and at other times,
distancing and obscure--almost secretive. We’re
able to travel to the underworld with Eurydice, and
this production makes it an almost Alice in
Wonderland journey of oddities and learning how to
communicate. Rubin, Blackwell, and McCann, as
The Chorus of Stones, were wonderfully dry and
eerie, with their sly glances, unison orders and
gray, dusty garb. They were the highlight for me.
Marc Balester was highly entertaining, smarmy and
strangely adept at maneuvering a tricycle. The rest
has room for growth, and seeing as this was
opening weekend, there's time for this to evolve
throughout the run.
Collapse
-
Event Name: Eurydice
"Are You Up To The Challenge?"
Review
posted by:
Steven Fearing
from Austin, Texas,
Jan 11, 2010
Familiarity with the original Eurydice and Orpheus Greek myth will not help you that much to understand playwright Sarah Ruhl’s very personal adaptation, Eurydice, playing at City Theatre. The...
Expand
Familiarity with the original Eurydice and Orpheus Greek myth will not help you that much to understand playwright Sarah Ruhl’s very personal adaptation, Eurydice, playing at City Theatre. The play could use the actual sweet sounds of Orpheus’ lyre to counter Ruhl's harsh and sometimes cryptic surrealism that gives much to challenge an audience member – especially on the subject of “father loss,” which is not part of the Greek version at all. All performances are adequate to stellar. Nicole Swahn is fantastic as Eurydice and Marc Balester captures the suave comedic sensibility of the Lord of the Underworld. The trio of actors who play the Stones possibly steal the show; it is hard to take your eyes and ears away from their make-up, costumes, and aphoristic exhortations. Yet Ruhl may have over-reached here for most audiences – it may be too self-referential to prevent audiences from wanting to “look back,” appropriately not repeating the weakness of Orpheus.
Collapse
-
Media
Reviews
Reviews
Promote Your Own Event
Follow Our Blog on Wordpress
Follow us on Twitter
NowPlayingAustin.com is a service of the Austin Creative Alliance, a nonprofit organization providing critical support services for Austin’s creative community across all sectors and disciplines.
