Riverland Theatre kicks off season
Published 10:20 am Wednesday, October 3, 2012
![1003.Eurydice2](https://www.austindailyherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2012/10/1003.Eurydice2.jpg)
Jessica Williams as Eurydice and Sam Gustine as Orpheus rehearse Tuesday night at Frank W. Bridges Theatre for the Riverland production of "Eurydice."
If you know your Greek myths, you better check your expectations at the door.
“Eurydice,” the upcoming Riverland Community College Theatre production, opens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre. The myth, re-imagined by Pulitzer Prize finalist Sarah Ruhl, focuses on the death of Eurydice, a young woman, on her wedding day. As she comes to the underworld, she reunites with her lost father and reckons her separation from her betrothed, Orpheus.
While many know of the Greek myth centered around Orpheus — a gifted musician who couldn’t sustain his faith — this retelling is a bit more modern, a bit more female-centered, and much more interesting, according to Riverland director Lindsey Duoos Williams.
“That’s what I really love about this show,” she said. “It’s this myth that has been around for centuries, but this is a completely new, completely modern, completely fresh take on it.”
The Riverland students participating in the show are getting a taste of the surreal as the story is modernized and uses a variety of props and devices not normally seen on a stage.
“It’s a really good challenge for them,” Williams said.