The mundane, mythical merge in unconventional play
Mixing rich imagery, masks, puppets and a full music score, the unconventional theater event "Descent of the Goddess Inanna, Trenton, NJ, 5:42 p.m." will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, in Miller Concert Hall. The performance is part of WSU’s Connoisseur Series.
In another dimension the Queen of Heaven and Earth begins a fateful descent to meet her sister, Queen of the Underworld. In these twin journeys, the mundane and the mythic merge into a startling resurrection.
"Descent of the Goddess Inanna, Trenton, NJ, 5:42 p.m." is based on 5,000-year-old Sumerian myths and features The Independent Eye’s stunning masks, puppets and the dazzling richness, broad humor and erotic imagery of the ancient texts.
The Independent Eye is a progressive theater ensemble in its 26th season that is devoted to creating new plays and new visions of classics. Based in northern California, The Eye’s work reaches a national audience through touring, public radio and publication. Founders Conrad Bishop and Elizabeth Fuller write, compose, direct and act in the productions.
"Descent of the Goddess Inanna" is the result of more than the minds and combined experience of mates Bishop and Fuller. With funding assistance from the Philadelphia Theatre Initiative of the Pew Charitable Trusts, along with grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the partners have collected an impressive roster of collaborators.
The Independent Eye’s Genesis Ensemble is an ongoing workshop for improvisational evolution of new plays whose work has included the widely praised "Frankenstein and Hammers," as well as "Descent of the Goddess Inanna."
Six actors have been collaborating in improvising scenes and rehearsing alternate methods of staging of the text as written. In addition, 12 actors from Playback Philadelphia, an ensemble specializing in improvisational reenactment of stories told by audience members, is collaborating in exploring "Descent of the Goddess Inanna" and other myths of underworld journeys.
The Independent Eye will present free workshops at WSU Thursday-Friday, Feb. 22-23. Call 978-3933 or 978-3646 for information.
For reserved tickets to the Feb. 24 performance, call 978-3233. Prices are $16 with discounts available.
