Dennis Polkow

With no surviving Greek version of the macabre episode of the House of Atreus’ feuding brothers Atreus and Thyestes, we only have the Roman retelling of the tragedy by Stoic philosopher and dramatist Lucius Anneus Senaca, tutor to emperor Nero who ultimately was forced to commit suicide when he met the notoriously sadistic emperor’s displeasure. More of a recitation than a play as such, director JoAnne Akalaitus breathes new life into the piece by choosing the vibrant and poetic but blessedly modern translation by British playwright Caryl Churchill, though we are told that this Court Theater season opening production is the Midwest premiere of the work in any form. Akalaitus emphasizes its Roman context and the parallels of an ancient and modern morally bankrupt society, though it is worth noting that the shock of this play to Romans, namely, that the title character could unknowably eat his own sons in a feast served by his brother, would have been the sudden stoppage of a legitimate blood-line more than what shocks us, watching a father who has interacted with his sons tenderly have to agonize with the reality that he has pleasurably consumed them in a tantalizing stew prepared by his own brother. The entire proceedings are given an eerie, ethereal and relentless quality by a constant though subtle musical drone, the stately and static movements of the cast, merciless one liners ("Think of your children as close by") and a sometimes reciting, sometimes singing Greek chorus that comments on what takes place. Senaca offers us some real food for thought that reflect an amoral, ambiguous and apocalyptic society such as, "You have to be greedy not to want to die when the whole world is dying with you," and "Where were the gods who protect the innocent?"

"Thyestes" runs at the Court Theatre, 5535 South Ellis, (773)753-4472, through October 21.

(2007-10-02)

Also by Dennis Polkow

Passionate Chicagoan
How did a white guy from Rockford end up directing the biggest all-black musical ever to hit Broadway? "It’s a question I get a lot," admits a grinning Gary Griffin, relaxing in the upstairs library at Chicago Shakespeare Theater after an afternoon rehearsal for Stephen Sondheim’s "Passion"
(2007-09-25)

Tip of the Week
Even though Arthur Miller was a man so much of our time that he only died a couple of years ago, his most read and most performed play—"The Crucible"—has been interpreted for decades as an autobiographical allegory of the McCarthy-era Communist interrogations which Miller experienced firsthand by being blacklisted for refusing to name names of artistic colleagues with Communist "leanings"
(2007-09-25)

Soundcheck
Having been accurately described in a New York Times feature last week as "equal parts: hungry indie band, efficient corporation and missionary initiative," the International Contemporary Ensemble is heading home to Chicago for ICEFest 2007, a new music marathon set to bring the music of living composers to bars, churches, colleges, art galleries and public spaces from Pilsen to the North Side
(2007-09-18)

Tip of the Week
Steppenwolf ensemble members Martha Lavey, John Mahoney (better known as the father on the long-running NBC TV series "Frasier") and Yasen Peyankov, along with Cheryl Lynn Bruce, Daniel J. Bryant, Penelope Walker and Josephine Lee and the Chicago Children’s Choir, present "I Sing America," directed by Jessica Thebus and produced by Steppenwolf’s newly appointed producer of cultural intersections, Sylvia Ewing
(2007-09-04)

Tip of the Week
(2007-08-21)

Tip of the Week
(2007-07-31)

Tip of the Week
(2007-07-24)

Kind of Blue
(2007-07-17)

Tip of the Week
(2007-07-10)

Tip of the Week
(2007-07-10)

Tip of the Week
(2007-06-22)

Tip of the Week
(2007-06-12)

about Newcitychicago | about Newcity magazine | advertising | privacy policy | FAQ | employment