ASU Theatre Presents Lysistrata September 30 to October 4

ASU’s Department of Theatre and Dance presents Lysistrata by Greek dramatist Aristophanes from Wednesday, September 30, to Sunday, October 4, in Valborg Theatre on the ASU campus. Wednesday to Saturday performances begin at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday’s performance begins at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for students, and are on sale now. The Valborg Theatre Box Office is open from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and one hour prior to show time. Tickets can be purchased in person, by phone at 828-262-3063 or by clicking to www.theatre.appstate.edu/performances.

The themes and language in Lysistrata are highly explicit and inappropriate for young audiences. The performance is not recommended for children under age 16.

In this Greek comedy, the title character gathers the women of Greece in a pact to withhold sexual privileges from their husbands until the men negotiate a peaceful end to the Peloponnesian War. Distraught by the loss of their wives’ attention, the men try repeatedly to seduce them. The women, however, stay true to their plan and successfully manipulate the signing of a peace treaty, and Lysistrata is hailed as the “savior of Athens.”

The play addresses contemporary global concerns, with themes of power, relationships between men and women and brokering peace in time of war.

The translation used for this production is by Sarah Ruden. Faculty member Derek Gagnier and Kin-Yan Szeto direct the play, John Marty is lighting designer, Paulette Marty is dramaturg and Neil Reda is sound designer. Students Heather Owens, Aaron Bridgman and Ashley Childers are, respectively, costume designer, scenic designer and assistant dramaturg.

Callie Rollins plays the title role, and Liz Anderson plays Calonice. Megan Lewicki plays Myrrhine and Seth Flagg plays Lampito. Additional cast members are: Brett Stafford (guard, Cinesias); Hampton Boggs (guard, Athenian ambassador); Ryan Davenport (guard, Spartan ambassador); Hunter Boyette (Spartan herald); Sean Browne (councilor, Athenian ambassador); Will Gwynn (leader of men’s chorus); Sean Kimbro (Prince Slater); Timothy La Croix and Tim Reis (men’s chorus); Lauren Flynn (leader of women’s chorus); and Beckie Dillon, Hilary Wheeless, Erika Hogan and Elise Shim (women’s chorus). Jenny Kotowski plays the Scythian guard and the role of Reconciliation.

The Valborg Theatre is located at 480 Howard Street, behind the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts. Parking is available after 5:00 p.m. on campus in faculty lots, the College Street parking deck near Belk Library and behind the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts.

Want To Go?

Date: Wednesday to Sunday, September 30 to October 4
Time: 7:00 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday/2:00 p.m. Sunday
Location: Valborg Theatre, ASU
Cost: $12 adults/$6 students