March 1, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR INFORMATION:

LIZ LISLE at 510 704-8210

SHOTGUN PLAYERS KICK OFF THEIR TWELFTH SEASON WITH THE GREAT GRAND DADDY OF GREEK TRAGEDIES - SOPHOCLES' OEDIPUS REX

Probably best known for the complex that bears his name, Oedipus Rex has unfortunately spent more time relegated to the reading lists of 10th graders and 1950's sexual psychology than to the stages of American theatre. Granted there are many dreary, academic interpretations of the Greek dramas but fortunately for the Shotgun Players they have found a soulful, riveting new translation by Nicholas Rudall, founder and former Artistic Director of the prestigious Court Theatre in Chicago. Through Rudall's dialogue we are granted immediate access to Sophocles' genius. You find yourself in the capable hands of a magical storyteller who captures you in each succeeding moment of dramatic tension. Knowing what is about to happen only heightens our excitement, fear and sadness as the play catapults to its irrevocable conclusion.

For the last 3 years the Shotgun Players have made a tradition of turning to the ancient Greeks for complex and sure-fire dramas to charge up their season. This production brings together many of the most powerful elements of past plays. Oedipus Rex will feature a singing and dancing Chorus lead by Beth Donohue Templeton who had great success as the title role in last year's Medea. Clive Worsley (Troilus and Cressida, We Won't Pay, Winesburg, Ohio) will take on the title role. Richard James (Play About the Baby) will play Teiresias and Casey Jones Bastiaans will play the Priest. This production also gives us another opportunity to work with members of the Bay Area's Iranian theatre company - Darvag. Bella Warda (Romeo and Juliet, The Bacchae) will be playing the ill-fated Queen of Thebes and Roham Shaikhani will play her brother and eventual successor, Creon. Another mainstay of Shotgun's Greek tradition has been live music. Tim Barsky, whose one man show As If In Sleep had a popular run at the Exit Theatre this past fall will play percussion and flute instruments and compose soundscapes with the ensemble. Kimberly Wilday will choreograph the Chorus and Shotgun Artistic Director Patrick Dooley (Iphigenia in Aulis, There Will Be No Trojan War) will direct.

PREVIEWS: February 27 and 28 at 8pm
OPENS: Saturday, March 1 at 8pm
CONTINUES: Thursday-Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 7pm until March 30. (No show on Sunday, March 2.)

WHERE: The 8th Street Studio Theatre, 2525 8th Street between Dwight and Parker in West Berkeley

TICKET PRICES: Pay-what-you-can Previews / $20 Opening Night with After Show Reception/ $10 Thursdays / $12 for students and seniors / $18 regular

For information or to reservations go to www.shotgunplayers.org or call 510 704-8210