Theatre VCU Presents “Medea”

Theatre VCU will present its innovative retelling of “Medea,” the ancient story of a barbarian priestess isolated from society, in performances from Nov. 9-18 in the Raymond Hodges Theater at the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 907 Floyd Ave.

First performed in 431 B.C., “Medea” is the story of a barbarian priestess betrayed by her husband and scorned by a culture in which only men have a voice. The play serves as a powerful study of society’s treatment of an outsider.

In Theatre VCU’s production, resident guest director Heather Davies has created a production that weds ancient history and contemporary western culture. Mary Vreeland, a graduate student, plays the role of Medea. Vreeland, who is deaf, will communicate with her fellow actors and actresses only through sign language. The entire cast of the play studied American Sign Language during the summer in preparation for the production.

Vreeland previously appeared in the September 2005 Theatre VCU production of “Wait Until Dark.” Professional stage credits include “Mother Courage and her Children” at the Folger Theatre in Washington, D.C., a performance that won her a Helen Hayes Award for best supporting actress, and stints in “Children of a Lesser God,” first on Broadway and then in a national tour. 

Performances of “Medea” are scheduled for Nov. 9-11 and 16-18 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 12 and 19 at 3 p.m. Ticket prices are $15 for general admission, $12 for seniors and VCU faculty and staff and $5 for VCU students with a valid ID. Tickets can be purchased at the Hodges Theatre Box Office or reserved by calling 804-828-6026 or e-mailing theatretix@vcu.edu.
 
A special Theatre VCU Dinner Theatre production will be held on Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. A pre-show buffet dinner will be held upstairs at the Singleton Center for the Performing Arts before the 7:30 p.m. show. Tickets for the dinner and “Medea” cost $30 per person.

For more information, visit the VCU Theatre Department.