‘Oedipus, the King’ by Sophocles Opens on Dec. 3 with a Live Cast ‘Talk Back’

 

The Visual and Performing Arts Department will present “Oedipus, the King” by Sophocles on Thursday, Dec. 3, through Wednesday, Dec. 9, via an online performance. The special theater production reflects current events with its relevant storyline and creative presentation.

In the play, translated by Nicholas Rudall, the citizens of Thebes are dismayed and angered because their city is beset with a plague. They demand their king, Oedipus, save them. When Oedipus learns that the plague is caused by a man who is cursed, he must find the man and deport him in order to save the city.

The dynamic virtual production is scheduled to stream nightly at 7:30 p.m. from Thursday, Dec. 3, through Wednesday, Dec. 9, with a 2 p.m. matinee stream available on Sunday, Dec. 6. A live, interactive “talk back” with the cast will immediately follow the opening night presentation on Dec. 3. Prior to showtime, viewers should visit VPA’s website via www.worcester.edu/Visual-and-Performing-Arts for a blue button that links to the show.

While audience members will have the opportunity to watch the online production for free, Worcester State University Visual and Performing Arts Chair and Theater Professor Adam Zahler, who is directing the show, says that organizers will provide information at the conclusion of each stream to collect optional donations to support the Focus on the Arts fund at Worcester State.

“In a typical semester, VPA theatre productions take place in person with our audiences in Fuller Theatre with ticket admissions, funds that are critical for supporting conference attendance, guest artists, and other academic endeavors for our students,” Zahler says. “While current events have changed how we deliver the arts right now, we’re committed to adapting to the times and encouraging our students as they turn to their arts. VPA is proud of the hard work of this cast and crew, and we’re excited to make ‘Oedipus, the King’ accessible to others at the distance.”

Those interested in supporting the Focus on the Arts fund can make donations via this site: http://alumni.worcester.edu/VPArts.

Cast of Characters

Maxwell Petrie as Oedipus, the king

Julia Duggan as Jocasta, the queen

Liam Carmody as Creon, brother to the queen

Bellalorraine Carey-Hicks as Teiresias, a prophet

Autumn Thebodo as priest of Zeus

Angie Morales as messenger

Vincent Pellegrino as shepherd of Laius

Chorus

Jade Pennington

Anne Elizabeth Wahba

Ryann Jerome

Angel Miguel Sotomayor

Ziray Dejesus

Ben Leibowitz

Kristen Cuccoli

 

Adam Zahler, Director

Karen Shalev, Stage Manager

Designers and Technical Staff

Susan Johnson-Hood, Costume Designer

John Howell Hood, Scenic Designer, Titles and Credits

Nathan K Lee, Lighting Designer/Technical Director/Editor

Collin Turner, Sound Designer/Editor

Aneesah James, Poster Designer

Collin Turner and John Howell Hood, Videographers

Rosemary Blair and Bellalorraine Carey-Hicks, Wardrobe

 

Stagehands

Vincent Pellegrino

Rosemary Blair

Melody Tong

Justin Turgeon

 

Scenic, Costume, Lighting Assistants

Bellalorraine Carey-Hicks

Evelyne Onuonka

Vincent Pellegrino