**** Recommended As we were driving to Writers Theatre in Glencoe to see Eurydice, my friend Crista and I discussed and dissected Sarah Ruhl’s plays. Crista tended not to like them, I liked more than I disliked. We both had questions about her version of Eurydice, wondering how the addition of Eurydice’s father would fit into the Greek legend. In fact, I think Eurydice’s interaction with her father added emotion, pathos if you will, to a harsh legend. Unfortunately, it’s rather slow-moving, so I zoned out once or twice. 3 ½ Spotlights
Sarah Ruhl’s Eurydice had its world premiere in 2003 in Madison, Wisconsin, followed by productions at Berkeley Repertory Theatre and Yale Repertory Theatre. It opened off-Broadway in 2007. This production is directed by Braden Abraham.
Courtney O’Neill’s winding ramp set leads from a sort of moving elevator car – earth - on a platform down to an open area with a lamppost - Hades.
In the Greek legend, Orpheus loved Eurydice so much he bargained with Hades to bring her back to life. His bargain – he had to lead her out of Hades without ever looking back to see if she was following. He couldn’t resist, so he lost her for all time. In Ruhl’s version, Eurydice didn’t want to leave her father, didn’t know who she was following or why, so she touched his back, causing him to turn around and lose her for all time.
Orpheus (Kenneth La’Ron Hamilton) meets Eurydice (Sarah Price), falls in love, and marries her. Eurydice wishes her father could have been at her wedding. During the reception, she wandered away and met Nasty Interesting Man (Larry Yando), who offered temptation.
When people arrive in Hades, they have no memories. Eurydice’s Father (John Gregorio), has regained his memories and he can still read and make noise which is strictly prohibited in Hades. Wearing mismatched beach wear and white-framed sunglasses, Big Stone (John Lister), Loud Stone (Susaan Jamshidi) and Little Stone (Elizabeth Ledo), sit in their beach chairs and chant the rules.
When Eurydice arrives in Hades, she too remembers nothing until her Father showed her how to read with her eyes not her feet. Meanwhile, Orpheus is bargaining with Lord of the Underworld (Larry Yando) – who for some strange reason rides a child’s bike while wearing a cowboy outfit and tiny hat – to get his love back. When Orpheus arrives, Eurydice must make her choice – her father or her love.
Eurydice runs through October 22nd in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. Free parking is available in the Metra lot across Green Bay Road. Running time is 95 minutes, no intermission. Performances are Wednesdays at 3:00 & 7:30 pm; Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 3:00 & 7:30 pm; Sundays at 2:00 & 6:00 pm. Tickets range from $35-$90. FYI (847) 242-6000 or www.writerstheatre.org.