SU Theatre Presents 'Lysistrata' February 25-March 6

SALISBURY, MD---Seeking an end to the Peloponnesian Wars that devastated ancient Greece, an Athenian woman makes a startling proposal to her countrywomen, demanding they deny their husbands connubial bliss until the men cease their battle.

Things don’t go exactly as planned.

Such is the plot of Lysistrata, one of Aristophanes’ most famous and ribald comedies, presented by Salisbury University’s Bobbi Biron Theatre Program February 25-27 and March 3-6 in the Black Box Theatre of Fulton Hall. Curtain is 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Dr. T. Paul Pfeiffer, artistic director for the program, directs. He adapted this version of the play from the Ian Johnston translation.

Lysistrata has earned rave reviews throughout the years. The New York Times says, “Aristophanes' gleeful sex comedy, with its divided chorus (atypical for Greek comedy), is also an eloquent denunciation of war, an emblem of the unnatural distortions it causes.” The Stage of London calls it a “hilariously funny show.”

The cast includes Carly Ball as Lysistrata; Dara Parsons as Colonices; Katlyn Horstkamp as Myrrinne; Leah Conigland as Lampito; Kim Patterson as Ismene of Thebes; Jenifer Maning as Corinthian Girl and Old Woman; Aisha Carr as Sythian Girl and Old Woman; Eric Scott Russell as Manes and Old Woman; Kaila Ingram as Leader of the Women’s Chorus; Francoise Boshart and Emily Frank as Old Women; Adam Burns as Magistrate and Spartan Ambassador; Matt Lewis as Leader of the Men’s Chorus; Dev Manekporia as Cinesias; Lucas Perito as Infant Son, Spartan Ambassador and Old Man; Therron Dennis as Spartan Herald and Old Man; James Carpenter and Chris Dooly as Athenian Ambassadors and Old Men; and Ryan Campbell and Patrick Drengquist as Old Men.

Set design is by Tom Anderson, costume design by Leslie Yarmo, and lighting design by David Shuhy. Courtney Mulcahy is assistant costume designer. Helga Von Kollmar is costume seamstress. Courtney Stratemeyer is property mistress. Amanda Hixenbaugh is sound board operator. Frank Howard is sound technician. Stanislav Cornwall is master electrician. Bill Boyan stage manages. Elizabeth Weiss is assistant stage manager.

Admission is $15, $12 for seniors and non-SU students. SU ID holders receive one ticket free. Tickets are available online at www.salisbury.edu/theatreanddance. Tickets also may be purchased through the SU Box Office, Fulton Hall Room 100.

Lysistrata is recommended for mature audiences due to strong sexual content. For more information call 410-548-5588 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.

SU’s Adventures in Ideas humanities seminar series hosts a historical and behind-the-scenes look at the production with presentations and discussions by Dr. Ray Thompson of the History Department, Pfeiffer, the cast and designers from 12:30-5 p.m. Sunday, March 6, in Fulton Hall Room 111.

Sponsored by the Charles R. and Martha N. Fulton School of Liberal Arts and the Whaley Family Foundation, admission to the seminar is $30, which includes coffee, snacks and admission to the performance. Advance registration is required.

For more information, including registration, call the Office of Alumni Relations at 410-543-6042 or visit its Web site at http://alumni.salisbury.edu.