Milton Presents Two Tales of the Ancients

Hecuba by Euripides
Milton’s traditional 1212 productions date back to the pre-Student Center days, pre-Warren Hall renovations, when Warren Hall, Room 1212 was home to the intimate productions that—without the allowance of much technical support—relied on the atmosphere of an informal setting and strong performance to stage a crowd-pleaser. These days the beloved 1212 plays are brought to life in Wigg Hall, and this spring’s 1212 production, Hecuba, promises an entertaining evening.

Written by Euripides, one of classical Athens’ great tragedians, Hecuba takes place after the Trojan War, when the city of Troy has fallen. Hecuba and her daughter Polyxena are enslaved to Agamemnon, and the story that unfolds depicts Hecuba's grief over the sacrifice of her daughter and the revenge she takes over the loss of her son, Polydorus. At the tragedy’s center is the status of women—who at this time are out of power and at the margins of society—shown through Hecuba’s sufferings, revenge, and eventual metamorphosis.

Directed by performing arts faculty member Peter Parisi, Milton’s production of Hecuba will fill Wigglesworth Hall on Thursday, May 1, and Friday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday, May 3, at 7 p.m.

Lute Song adapted by Will Irwin and Sidney Howard
Next month David Peck, chair of the performing arts department, will direct his final Milton production in what will be his twentieth year at the Academy. For his directorial finale, David chose the play Lute Song, adapted from the classical, centuries-old tale from Pi-Pa-Chi and adapted for Broadway in the 1940s. The story is about Tsai-Yong, a young Chinese student who leaves his wife, parents and provincial life to become part of the larger world. He becomes a famous magistrate and is forced into marriage, becoming husband to the daughter of a prince. The tale follows the relationships that play out while Tsai-Yong reconciles his new life with his old.

“It’s a very romantic, very painful love story,” David says. “What I like is that it’s quite complex; none of the roles are simplistic. It’s a traditional Chinese tale, and it’s traditional in the way it’s presented. People in China often don’t know the play by name, but they know the story. The story and the set we’ve created are simple, compelling, and beautiful. This production isn’t about spectacle, it’s about emotion.”

Lute Song will take the stage in Ruth King Theatre on Thursday, May 15, and Friday, May 16, at 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday, May 17, at 7 p.m.

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