Samantha Lambert
Staff Reporter
Last week, the uplifting production of “Troy Women” offered hope that women, when working together, can overcome any tribulation.
The play sold out “or nearly sold out” each night of the Oct. 1- Oct. 4 run, according to the box office representatives. The show took place in the 100-seat black box theater, which was elegantly decorated with oriental rugs and pillows.
Smoke filed the air and exotic music hummed on to aid the chorus into their dances of sorrow.
Directed by Elizabeth van den Berg, “Troy Women” explores the hardships that women endured after the fall of their city. The queen of Troy, Hecuba, (Maggie Powell) watches every last one of her loved ones either die or be shipped off to Greece as slaves to the men who have pillaged her only home.
She yells at the Gods to punish Helen of Sparta (Colleen Alford) who is blamed for this war, due to her affair with the Prince of Troy, Paris. When no answer is given, and Helen’s husband Menelaus (played by Matt Cowan), keeps destroying their home she cries in defeat.
Giving up on the Gods, the remaining women (Chorus) and their Queen try find some hope in a world of ash and blood by dancing and singing of better times and the hope of a new future.
However, as times progress, Hecuba’s last child, Cassandra (played by Jen Solomon), is taken from her. While she spits out prophecies of revenge, all seems forever lost.
The last scene ends with all of the women leaving to go on their respected ships to be brought to their new owners. As they leave one of the chorus girls played by Katie Bonaduce picks up the dust of Troy and says her goodbyes.
Freshman, Tori Potucek said, “I liked it a lot, I also liked how well they represented the culture and still related to modern times.”
Costumes for the play, which consisted of robes over cropped tops and pants, imitating belly dancer customs along with sashes and cloths to cover hair were designed by Hanna Spence. The soldiers were dressed in modern desert camouflage to relate this story to the war we are in now.
One of the chorus girls, Shelby Paventeau commented, “Even though the rehearsals were draining, it was all worth it in the end. It’s just a really great show.”