Metamorphoses
"A myth is a public dream. A dream is a private myth," says playwright Mary Zimmerman in her risky and risqué stage adaptation of Ovid's legendary myths, "Metamorphoses," currently playing at the Lankershim Arts Center. Director Patrick Varon has a wonderful understanding of both playwright and myth propagator as he pushes the 12 players to create a group of multi-faceted classical and modern characters, telling stories within a story.
Water is a key feature of each of the stories being presented. Unfortunately, due to the mathematical impossibility of using water on the building's second-floor stage, the Athena Theatre Company was unable to recreate the author's intentions. Perhaps by using a thin layer of water, this could have worked, but they nixed the water completely and it was left to our imaginations. Instead, the actors 'flood' the stage with poetic dialogue as they tell an array of stories within a story of one man's cupidity.
More of an event than a production, the cast and crew work hard to alleviate flaws and concentrate on entertaining an audience that enjoys the retelling of classic myths just as much as those certain audience members who have never heard of (or don't remember) these ancient stories.
The cast highlights were Guy Perry with his hysterical frolicking as 'Hunger,' impressively talented West Liang (Orpheus), and Sally Conway as Alcyone, whose body movements were top notch.
Johnny Ryman's lighting entraps the characters in shadow while the original music by Andrew Edwards carries us from tale to tale.
On a grading Scale - B+
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