BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Theatre will present "Eurydice," written by Sarah Ruhl, at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11-14 and Nov. 18-21 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 22 in the Alys Stephens Center Odess Theatre, 1200 10th Ave. South, Birmingham. "Eurydice" will be directed by Karla Koskinen, M.F.A. Tickets are $12; $6 for students; $10 for UAB employees and senior citizens.
"Eurydice" is Ruhl's modern telling of an ancient myth, in which Orpheus travels to the underworld to reclaim his bride by charming the inhabitants with his music. Ruhl re-imagines the classic myth through the eyes of its heroine. Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice must journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her deceased father and struggles to remember her lost love. Eurydice's relationship with both her father and Orpheus forms the moving story that explores the power of love and loss.
With contemporary characters and ingenious plot twists, the play is a fresh look at a timeless love story, Koskinen said. "A raining elevator that transports the dead to the underworld, a house of string and a chorus of stones are just some of the imaginative elements that Ruhl employs to tell this delightful story," she said.
The cast includes Tim Craig of Birmingham as Orpheus, Hannah Hughes of Vestavia as Eurydice, Jasmaine McCorvey of Montgomery as Big Stone, Dennis McLernon of Hoover as Father, Daniel Norwood of Athens as the Nasty Interesting Man and Lord of the Underworld, Whitney Rooks of Center as Little Stone and Brittney Michelle of Pratt City as Loud Stone.
The crew is stage manager Caitlin Suggs of Irondale, assistant stage managers Brenton Bellomy of Scottsborough and Jereme Lewis of Enterprise, assistant director Sarah Hereford of Huntsville and costume designer Kristina Howard of Vincent.
About UAB
The UAB Department of Theatre has won the highest honors awarded to university theaters, including best in region from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF). In 2008, UAB's production of "In the Blood" was one of three shows chosen by KCACTF from 300 in consideration nationwide. Faculty continue to work professionally in addition to teaching. Theatre UAB performances are presented at the Alys Stephens Center, UAB's own world-class performing arts center. Next year the department will celebrate its 40th anniversary.