Ancient Roman poetry is set poolside in Mary Zimmerman's 2002 adaptation of Ovid's classic poem Metamorphoses. Set around a pool of water, Holton and Landon Upper School students appear as Greek and Roman Gods, Goddesses, and ancient heroes in Scenes from Metamorphoses on the Lewis Theater stage Nov. 8, 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Nov. 11 at 2:00 p.m.
SYNOPSIS
Though water may change color and shape with time and tide, the struggle of human beings is eternal, or so posits Mary Zimmerman in her adaptation of Metamorphoses. "These myths have a redemptive power in that they are so ancient. There's a comfort in the familiarity of the human condition," Zimmerman wrote.
Three laundresses serve as narrators as the play weaves together multiple stories from Ancient Roman poetry including the stories of King Midas, Alcyone and Ceyx, Erysichthon and Ceres, Orpheus and Eurydice, Pomona and Vertumnus, Phaeton and Apollo, Eros and Psyche, and Baucis and Philemon. In each story, the central pool of water plays a different role, reflecting the characters' experiences of elation, relaxation, separation and grief.
This visually stunning production represents a major feat of artistry and engineering as Mark Robinson, Holton's Performing Arts Department Chair, and Technical Director/Theater Manager not only provides artistic direction but also oversees the design and construction of a set that will feature 200 cubic feet of real water.
Stage Manager Nina Mourao '19 leads a team of 12 student technicians, with assistance from Renata Taylor-Smith '20, Emily Shapland '20 and Jessie Israel '22. Kate Magill Robinson has designed the costumes that bridge the ancient and contemporary worlds. Mary Grant serves as lighting designer and Mark Robinson designed the set and led his Production Technology students in its construction.
Featuring student performers: Alexandra Angelos, Maggie Brett-Major, Sophia Castro, Lucas Cuervo, Anushka Dar, Logan Finley-Wallace, Ben Freeman, Thomas Gao, Ainsley Hartke-Crotke, Brielle Herlein, Brittany Hunter, Grace Huntington, Nyla Jones, Sukhmani Kakar,Sabrina Lahlou, Micaela Lamas, Paige Magid, Lucy Mason, Alan Mirzoev, Erysichthon, Chike Nezianya, Will Nussbaum, Amanda Phillips, Ashmita Pyne, Coby Shrensky, Josephine Stark, KJ Stiglitz, Allie Stroman, Lucy Ventimiglia, Skye Worster.
Tech crew: Nina Mourão, Renata Taylor-Smith, Emily Shapland, Jessie Israel, Raeyan Syed, Jemma Bazemore, Armen Sivaslian, Annalise Shiroma, Keshini Maynard, Ema Nakayama, Sara War, Lailah Fritz.
Guest Artists: Mary Grant (Lighting Designer), Kate Magill Robinson (Costumes), Jesse Shipley (Wardrobe).