University Theatre to bring 'Oedipus' to life

Twenty-four centuries before Freud developed his theories, the ancient Greeks tapped into human psychology in the most public of places -- the theater. The most popular form of entertainment for the Greeks, playwrights such as Aeschylus, Euripides and Aristophanes brought the human condition to the foreground with their plays about the history and religion of their culture.\nAt 8 p.m. Friday, the University Theatre will open, for eight performances, perhaps the most well-known, but seldom performed Greek tragedy of all time, "Oedipus the King" by Sophocles.\nOften called the first mystery in Western culture, Oedipus is the story of the King of Thebes whose country is under great suffering because of a plague. Oedipus learns the plague will end when the man responsible for the murder of Laius, the previous king of Thebes, is exiled from the city. The play then finds Oedipus searching for the truth not only for the death of Laius, but also for his own parentage leading to one of the most haunting revelations in all of drama.\nA new production featuring a design staff of professors and a visiting lecturers, this "Oedipus Rex" features a set with a modern feel rooted in tradition.\n"We see the exterior and entrance to the palace, which has been inspired by the work of some contemporary architects such as Frank Gehry," said set designer Ed Haynes, a visiting lecturer. "We wanted an exterior appropriate for the palace of a king -- impressive, expensive and -- to reflect the action of the play -- a sinister place where evil, unacceptable things have occurred."\nWhile the play itself is more than 2,500 years old and the traditions of Greek tragedy such as the Chorus will be present, director Howard Jensen said he feels the play is in no way dated and many ideas moving through the play are current.\n"The idea of an unknown plague, a disease that continues that people don't quite know what to do with is one (idea that is current)," Jensen said. "The dilemma of Oedipus is something we all go through. I'm on top of the world, but I have this nagging feeling that it could all collapse."\nJensen, a professor of acting and directing at IU for more than 25 years, is also a regular director at the Utah Shakespeare Festival during the summer. The company recently won the Tony Award for best regional theater the same year Jensen directed "War of the Roses," his own adaptation of the Shakespeare's Henry VI plays.\n"With this (production) I wanted to be immediate in a different way, in a less academic way," Jensen said. "I was interested in different values. So many plays (in Greek Tragedy) are about some secret that has to come to light." \nCast members also said they believe "Oedipus" continues to speak with conviction to a modern audience. Graduate student Erik Anderson who will perform as Kreon, Oedipus' brother-in-law, said he believes the play represents a new challenge for him as an actor.\n"Though it's not his (Kreon's) play, it gives me a chance to do something I've never done before -- a straightforward, solid leader," Anderson said. "He's the glue that holds the play together." \nIn addition to the challenges on stage, Anderson also believes the play contains social issues relevant to today.\n"Look at the collapse of power in our own country. The president, the leaders in our country are never the men we think they are," Anderson said. "All truly remarkable leaders will have some tragic flaws."\nJensen said he believes part of the reason Greek tragedy is not as popular as other forms of drama is because of the obstruction the Chorus can be for an audience. This production, Jensen said, will have only a three-person Chorus as opposed to the traditional 15. \nAlthough most actors prefer the leading role, junior Carol Enoch clambered at the chance to be in the Chorus.\n"I read the Chorus parts, and the language is so beautiful and there's so much room for interpretation," Enoch said. "The Chorus is a conduit between the audience and the stage. Having three allows room for a lot more individual personality."\nWhile the opportunity to work with Jensen as a director is something Enoch and Anderson said they had enjoyed and admired, the chance to work on the material in "Oedipus" is just as unique. Although Jensen has seen and directed many plays, including Aeschylus' Orestia trilogy at the University Theatre, he has never himself seen a production of "Oedipus."\n"I do what I think is right -- what comes from my heart as well as my mind. I know it's going to be wonderful to look at and to hear," said Jensen. "You don't get a chance to see a live performance of 'Oedipus' very often. I've never seen it live"