“Metamorphoses,” Mary Zimmerman’s play based on the Greek myths told by Ovid in his epic poem of the same name, was selected as the “2002 Theatre Event of the Year” by Time Magazine and enjoyed a successful run on Broadway.
USI Theatre presents the play for the first time in the Evansville area. John Berst, instructor in theatre, directs the production, which runs Wednesday, November 9 through Sunday, November 20 at the Mallette Studio Theatre in the lower level of the Liberal Arts Center.
Ovid’s “Metamorphoses” includes more than 250 myths covering everything from the creation of the world to the assassination of Julius Caesar. Zimmerman’s adaptation focuses on just a few of these stories, mostly centered on themes of love and transformation. The play features familiar characters of Greek mythology with modern twists, such as King Midas as a venture capitalist who can do no wrong, and Apollo’s son Phaeton as a California sunshine boy working out his relationship with his father from his analyst's couch.
“Metamorphoses” opened on Broadway in March 2002, just months after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The Wall Street Journal said, “Mary Zimmerman's beautiful and deeply umane ‘Metamorphoses’...arrives in this wounded city like a small gift from the gods,” and Time Magazine responded that the play showed that “theater can provide not just escape but sometimes a glimpse of the divine.” The American Theatre Wing nominated “Metamorphoses” for three Tony Awards, including Best Play.
The cast of USI Theatre’s production of “Metamorphoses” includes students Kevin Bickwermert, Joshua Buente, Ashley Frary, Sean McCambridge, KimOra Ohning, Stacey Smith, Lauren Tait, April Underhill, Dustin Williams, and Jordan Willis. Each student plays several roles.
The design team is comprised entirely of USI students, including Beth Wicker as scenic designer, Emily Stephens as costume designer, Stephanie Weinzapfel as lighting designer, and Dustin Held as sound designer.
“Metamorphoses” runs November 9-13 and November 15-20. Performance times are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Single ticket prices are $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors 60 and over, and $4 for USI students.
Tickets may be purchased by calling the USI Theatre box office at 812/422-3970 or online at
the USI Theatre Web site. Tickets also may be purchased at the door; the box office will open one hour before each performance.
