Under the direction of Craig Fisher, a new theatre ensemble, Ad Astra, will take their love and desire for theatre and art and produce new and interesting works that ask questions and encourage thought.

Their debut performance of “Eurydice” does just this with its sad-happy disorientation.  Described by New York Times critic Charles Isherwood as “devastatingly lovely – and just plain devastating” “Eurydice” is the theatrical tale of the Orpheus myth Eurydice.  Playwright Sarah Ruhl retells the Greek myth of Eurydice, Apollo’s daughter (the god of light) and wife to Orpheus, from her point of view, and set in modern times.

This play is intensely about relationships, both familial and romantic – and the company is about exploring all forms of human connections via theatre,  according to director Craig Fisher and actress Kat Keyes.  The play is a beautiful love story of a husband and wife, and father and daughter.  It’s about remembering the love we have for those closest to us.

Ruhl is a widely produced playwright and Ad Astra Theatre Ensemble felt it was time for Topeka to be introduced to her work.  Fisher and Keyes described Ruhl’s plays as “whimsical, fantastical and beautiful.  There is a simplicity about the play that makes the emotions so much more important.”

The summer production of “Eurydice” is July 8 – 11 in Warehouse 414’s gallery, (414 S.E. 2nd Street, downtown Topeka).  Tickets are $5 at the door and seating begins at 7 p.m., with curtain at 7:30.  Warehouse 414 seats approximately 50, so we advise you to arrive as close to 7 p.m. as you can for the best seats (or a seat at all).  Light snacks and beverages will be available for sale and dress is casual.

The ensemble chose Warehouse 414 as their theatre house due to the fact that the bulk of “Eurydice” is set in Ruhl’s underworld, which is described as almost whimsical and perhaps what Alice might have seen through the looking glass.

“The space that Chris Grandmontagne has at Warehouse 414 is beautifully adorned, and lends well to that landscape,” said Fisher.

Ad Astra Theatre Ensemble believes in the transformative power of theatre – what it can do for community and ultimately the human spirit.  The not-for-profit hopes to raise awareness of lesser known and performed shows and strengthen local avocational artists.  Proceeds from their shows help pay for production and royalty costs. Any profit is then used to support local artists producing similar works and to encourage more theatre throughout Topeka.

The grassroots theatre company was born in 2010.

Cast List:

Directed by Craig Fisher
Starring:

Kat Keyes- Eurydice
Ryan McCoy- Orpheus
Shaun Marcotte- Father
Brandon Durkes- Nasty, Interesting Man
Sarah Hazen- Loud Stone

Dylan Van Sickle – Big Stone

Katy Wright- Little Stone

Learn more www.adastratheatre.com

Next performance: “The Last Five Years” August 12 – 14 at Helen Hocker Theatre

[ July 2010 | Kerrice Mapes | photo courtesy Ad Astra Theatre Ensemble ]

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