‘Lysistrata’ portrays battle of the sexes
WSU’s final Theatre Mainstage Series production this season is "Lysistrata," a classical Greek satire, directed by Bela Kiralyfalvi, professor and chair of performing arts. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, May 3-5, and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 6, in Wilner Auditorium.
"Lysistrata," written by Aristophanes, takes a humorous look at universal subjects including politics, war, domestic life, women’s equality and sex. Aristophanes wrote and presented this outspoken pacifist play protesting the Peloponnesian War as it was taking place.
In Athens in 411 B.C. under the leadership of Lysistrata, the women of Athens, Calonike and Myrrhine unite with other women of Greece in refusing their husbands all sexual favors until they agree to end the war. The dismay and indignation of the men at the women’s resolve, the women’s valiant defense of their temporary citadel of virtue and the ultimate victory of the female cause are all part of a humorous plot with a serious theme.
The cast includes Amanda Barenberg as Lysistrata, Krystal Iseminger as Calonike and April Follmer as Myrrhine. Bryan Welsby leads the male chorus and Amy Hughey leads the female chorus. The cast of 38 also includes Ian Garner as the Commissioner and Matt Bustamante as the Spartan Herald.
The production has original sets by Brad Reissig and costumes by Victoria Atkinson. Lighting design is by Eric Nolfo. C. Nicholas Johnson, WSU’s director of dance, choreographs the choruses.
Call 978-3233 for tickets; prices start at $10 with discounts available.
