“The Trojan Women” opens at West T. Hill Sept. 5
Published 5:30 pm Tuesday, August 27, 2024
lance.gaither@bluegrassnewsmedia.com
“The Trojan Women,” an ancient Greek tragedy play, will be premiering on Sept. 5 at West T. Hill Community Theater in Danville for four shows.
The play first debuted in 415 B.C.E and tells the story of a group of women that have lost their homes and families as the city of Troy falls during the Trojan War. The play showcases the chaos and pain caused by war through the eyes of women and children. The timeless commentary of the play has resonated with audiences for more than 2,000 years.
“There is a lot of war going on in the world today,” said Director Kolton Winfield. “The universal theme of the need for peace is very relevant. It is often said that this is one of the greatest anti-war plays ever written. It does a very good job of centering on the realities of loss.”
This particular version of the play was adapted during the 1990’s and Winfield believes this makes the play more digestible for a modern audience.
“The emotion, themes, and mythos of the ancient Greeks are still present,” Winfield said. “It is a heavy, tragic, and somber play, but that shouldn’t shy people away from seeing the show. It is a short script. The language and these performances are so powerful and accessible, that it is really very cathartic. The play is worth seeing.”
Winfield was excited for an opportunity for West T. Hill to celebrate ancient Greek theater.
“A lot of the time when we think of the classics, we think of the Renaissance and Shakespeare,” Winfield said. “That is all very good, but there are not too many opportunities outside of educational theater to encounter works like these.”
The cast list of the “The Trojan Women” is:
- Gregory Hancock – Poseidon
- Jennifer Pusateri – Hecuba
- Sadie Pusateri – Cassandra
- Jasmine Calbough – Andromache
- Allen Martin – Talthybius
- Hillary Zimmerman – Helen.
Members of the chorus are Julia Gerwe, Mara Merchant, Katie Woolcott, Londyn Jackson, Lilla Walter, Pamela Connors, Mary Carol Porter, Jenna Newby, Hannah-Kate Fox, Cadence Rogers, Jamie Pelvey, and Tara Strauch.