A Staged Reading Benefit of Ellen McLaughlin’s "Lysistrata"

Austin Shakespeare reveals plans to present a staged reading of the Ancient Greek comedy Lysistrata as reimagined by powerhouse American playwright Ellen McLaughlin. Catch this one-time event — featuring the play, surprise spectacles, snacks, and cash bar — at 7 pm on Sunday, August 27, 2017 at Spider House Ballroom, 2906 Fruth St., Austin, TX 78705. Tickets are $15 in advance through eventbrite.com or $20 at the door.

Lysistrata is the tale of women from opposing Greek city-states who set aside their polarizing differences and unite to end the Peloponnesian War in a creative, titillating and giggle-inducing fashion. Matronly stormtroopers take over Athens’ public funds while women all across Greece withhold sex from their mates. Desperate for intimacy, the men finally agree to lay down their swords and see their way to achieving diplomatic peace. Between thrusts of phallic humor and anachronistic silliness, this Lysistrata manages to highlight questions of national priorities, humanitarian awareness, and diplomacy vs. violent domination. And there might just be some juggling. (Note: This event is not appropriate for children.)

Lysistrata features 20 actors and is directed by Sharron Anderson, who co-founded Lysistrata Project, the first-ever world-wide theatrical act of dissent. The play reading enrobed in a festive evening raises funds for Austin Shakespeare’s 2017-2018 season. “I have long adored Austin Shakespeare,” coos the statuesque Anderson, who made her classical theatre debut in the early 1990s with Austin Shakespeare at Zilker Park. Having just moved back to her hometown after nearly two decades in the New York area, Anderson schemed with long-time friend and mentor, Austin Shakespeare’s Artistic Director, Ann Ciccolella, over lunch about how she could give back to the beloved company, and this event was born.

Is Lysistrata relevant today? Anderson laughs, “Know anybody who feels powerless and enormously frustrated with how their country is being run by a good ol’ boy’s club?” Ciccolella chimes in, “Know anybody who thinks their tax dollars are being squandered?” Anderson can’t resist, “Know anybody who secretly enjoys a raunchy joke?” Austin Shakespeare’s mission of connecting truths of the past with challenges and possibilities of today seems to be in full force.

The cast of Lysistrata includes Roxy Becker, David Boss, Janelle Buchanan, Mary Alice Carnes, Robert Deike, Lana Dieterich, Kara Bliss McGregor, Nancy Eyermann, Paula Gilbert, Karen Mal, Helen Merino, Rommel Sulit, Johanna Whitmore, and more.