Oresteia

Oresteia

Classic Stage Company

Greek Festival

August 23, 2015

Photo courtesy of Classic Stage Company

ClassicStage Company is presenting their Greek Festival from August 10 through September 27.  The advertisement for Oresteia caught my attention, so I grabbed a ticket on TDF.  It is produced in association with Ashes Company, and conceived and directed by Jonathan Vandenberg.  This powerful and mesmerizing piece is presented with very little dialogue.  Mr. Vandenberg relies on impressive visual images, authentic sound, and concise movement to take his audience on a journey through the cycle of vengeance, greed, and passion all the way to healing. 

Photo courtesy of Ashes Company

Oresteia is Aeschylus’ tragic Greek trilogy that tells the story of the end of the curse on the House of Atreus.  The ensemble is amazingly gifted and intensely focused for this ninety minute interpretation.  Every gesture expresses intent and is delivered with clarity and significance.  The longing for retribution is passed from one character to the next through the passing of the knife and the spilling of blood.  The sound design, by Alexandria Bottiglieri, draws you into the intensity of each event, but it is the sound of each moment that rivets you to the action – the character’s breath, the dragging of costumes across the floor, the rustling of chains, the pouring of water.  This is what captivates your senses and draws you into the importance of each moment.  When Orestes cannot return the knife to the circle from whence it was first retrieved by Agamemnon, it is clear that the cycle of pain and suffering has ended.

Photo courtesy of Ashes Company

In the Classic Stage Company newsletter, director Jonathan Vandenberg addresses the question of catharsis.  What did it mean for an Ancient Greek audience?  Is it possible today?  By leading the audience through this stark and gritty retelling, he brings us to a visceral understanding of the pain of yearning for vengeance and forgiveness.  It is a phenomenal, and yes, cathartic encounter.

The consistency of quality in the work of Classic Stage Company is relevant in this original interpretation of Oresteia.  Be sure to take in a performance of the Greek Festival at Classic Stage Company, as well as look for upcoming work by Ashes Company.

Domenick Danza