An Iliad
by Penfold Theatre Company

Feb. 16 - Feb. 26, 2017
Thursdays-Sundays

"Every time I sing this song, I hope it's the last time," says the Poet as he digs deep to sing an epic story of war, honor, love, violence and the Greek siege of Troy. He's told his story for centuries, conjuring the heroes and battles for different cultures and eras. Now in the shadow of war in Afghanistan and Syria, he unleashes the story's power for a modern audience.

 

Homer's tale has never been more engaging than in this tour-de-force solo performance starring Austin powerhouse Cami Alys. Adapted from Robert Fagles’ revelatory translation and underscored with original music by local Austin composer Seth Osborn, An Iliad conjures the grandeur of legendary events that have captured the western imagination for millennia with an intimacy that makes the story searingly immediate and relevant.

 

Since debuting at Seattle Rep in 2010, An Iliad has collected praise from audiences around the country: 

“Spellbinding… Smartly conceived and impressively executed, An Iliad relates an age-old story that resonates with tragic meaning today” (New York Times)

“Pure theatre: schocking, glorious, primal and deeply satisfying” (Time Out New York)

“Explosive, altogether breathtaking… Brilliantly meshes past and present calamity, with touches of the most caustic dark humor suddenly shifting into unimaginable pathos” (Chicago Sun-Times).

 

This production will be An Iliad’s Central Texas premiere and marks the first partnership between Penfold Theatre Company and Austin Scottish Rite Theater. 

“Nathan and I have had our eye on this piece for several years,” says Penfold’s Producing Artistic Director, Ryan Crowder. “The real impetus to produce it, however, was connecting with Seth Osborn, whom we knew from his work with the band Tiny Tin Hearts. When Seth signed on to do an original score, we knew we had something special. And now partnering with Susan Gayle Todd at the Scottish Rite – I couldn’t think of a better setting for a piece that straddles the very old and the very now.”

 

An Iliad performs for a very limited engagement with only eight performances.

For ages high school and up. 

​Includes adult language and describes violent events.

Running time: 95 minutes with no intermission.

AN ILIAD is adapted from Robert Fagles's translation of Homer by Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare. It is directed by Nathan Jerkins and features Cami Alys. Original music is by Seth Osborn and performed by Seth Osborn, Brittany Carson Koepp, Ky Hote, Henna Chou and Steve Cruz

 

Feature by Michael Barnes for the Austin Statesman, February 15, 2017

 

AN ILIAD is adapted by Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare from Robert Fagles' translation of Homer. It is directed by Nathan Jerkins and features Cami Alys. Original music is by Seth Osborn and performed by Seth Osborn, Brittany Carson Koepp, Ky Hote, Henna Chou and Steve Cruz.

 

AN ILIAD is a co-production with the Austin Scottish Rite Theater.

 

 

 

 

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An Iliad
by Homer, adapted by Penfold Theatre, music by Seth Osborn
Penfold Theatre Company

Showtimes

Austin Scottish Rite Theatre (Map it)

207 W 18th Street, Austin, TX 78701

Free parking is available in the Austin Scottish Rite Theatre parking lot. Space is limited. Paid parking is available on the street and in downtown surface lots and garages.

Running time: 95 minutes with no intermission.

For ages high school and up.
Regular tickets $18-$20.

Tickets $18 and $20 available online via Vendini.