DRAMATURG’S NOTE
by Eric Guy, Dramaturg for Scenes from the Odyssey
Designated as one of humanity’s oldest recorded stories, the Ancient Greek epic poem The Odyssey carries the privilege of straddling the line between history and myth in addition to defying the all-consuming passage of time. Mary Zimmerman’s painstaking recreation of Odysseus’ journey for the post-modern theatergoer strikes at the continued fascination for the hero’s trials in our collective imagination. Forty-one years after Zimmerman first cultivated this idea, Odysseus’ grappling with the monstrous uncertainty of life is no less relevant. In mounting, postponing, and reforming this story for a digital presentation, the paradoxical assumption we often have between the past and the present is blown away: everything has changed, but nothing is different. Across generations of regression and innovation, of changing identity, technology, and communication, there is one constant. Our living is fueled just the same, propelled through time by the empathy begot of our most human treasure: the magic of storytelling.
-Eric Guy, Dramaturg
DIRECTOR'S NOTE
by Sarah Gabel, Director for Scenes from the Odyssey
The Odyssey is a human story about a soldier’s journey home after a very long and bloody war. Before he can face the unique challenges of separating from military service and returning to civilian life, Odysseus is “tested by the gods in a thousand ways.” Odysseus retells his 10-year journey to the Phaeacians in exchange for safe passage home. Through the reenactment of Odysseus’ adventures, we see a veteran engaging in violent crimes, drug addiction, and irresponsible thrill and pleasure-seeking that are the consequences of trauma experienced in war. Through his arduous journey, Odysseus grows to understand that most suffering is caused by one’s transgressions, and that the gods will protect him as long as he serves as an agent of justice. The process of adapting our highly metaphorical and physical live production to a virtual one has been both challenging and rewarding. Not unlike Odysseus’ journey, our journey to bring this production to performance has been a long one with many unexpected twists and turns. We did not set out to create a virtual performance, but in the end we accomplished our goal to tell this classic tale in a creative and evocative manner. I cannot thank our extremely talented cast and production team enough for their collaborative spirit and creative talents. What you will see tonight represents our exploration into uncharted territories in an effort to get back to what we love, our home, if you will: performing for a live audience.
-Sarah Gabel, Director