Ajax in Iraq is spring theater offering
Skidmore's Department of Theater will present its spring 2012 Mainstage production, Ajax in Iraq by Ellen McLaughlin, directed by Lary Opitz. Performances are Friday through Sunday, April 13-15, and Thursday through Sunday, April 19-22. All shows are in the Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater at 8 p.m. except Sundays, when matinees begin at 2 p.m.
A scene from Ajax in Iraq shows Jonathan Lee-Rey '15 (left),
Madi Ellis '14, Xavier Richards '12, Hallie Christine Thesing '15,
Nicole Dancel '13, and Olivia Nielsen '13. (Photo by Julia Cox '12)
Past and present collide in McLaughlin's mash-up of Sophocles' classic tragedy Ajax with the recently ended war in Iraq. The play follows the parallel narratives of
Ajax, an ancient Greek military hero, and A. J., a modern American female soldier,
and explores the timeless struggle soldiers face in trying to make sense of war.
Director Lary Opitz said, "We're very excited to be presenting a production that deals
so well with the important questions surrounding our soldiers returning from Iraq
and currently serving in Afghanistan. This play combines AJAX with the story of a female American soldier stationed in Iraq. The play focuses on
the timeless concerns about how we deal with our heroes and how soldiers struggle
to make sense out of the wars they have been sent to fight. We believe that this play
is certainly timely and we are proud to be able to honor our soldiers and veterans
with this work."
For reservations, email or call the Skidmore Theater Box Office at (518) 580-5439 . Tickets are $12 general admission and $8 for students and senior citizens. For group sales, contact Kathy Mendenhall at (518) 580-5431 or via email.
