The Classical Theatre of Harlem re-imagines the Greek classic by Euripedes, The Bacchae, with an adaptaton by Bryan Doerries and directed by Carl Cofield
The sun sets on Harlem’s Marcus Garvey park casting soft blue light. We sit in a semicircle around a large stage illuminated in soft fuschia, evoking thoughts of the pantheon of ancient Greece. As the show begins, we are not sure if we’re here to see a modernized tragedy or a high energy concert. Dancers seep out from hidden nooks into the audience, their movement choreographed, elongated and sensual. Both their choreography and their costumes nod to an animalistic primitivism. Some dancers are adorned with brightly colored faux-feathers, others wear animal printed hot pants. These blend almost seamlessly with other costume elements like neon colored leggings and leather fringe.
The Classical Theater of Harlem Re-Imagines Greek Classic
This all comes to a height when our main character Dionysus, played by Jason C. Brown, takes the stage and the dancers go wild. Dionysus is the Greek God of wine and dance, the God of pleasure, debauchery and hedonism. Bryan Doerries, who adapted this Greek classic, modernizes this God into a pelvis-rocking, skinny jean wearing, super sexy rockstar, equipped with the gold chains, flowing hair and gaggle of screaming girls. We at moments feel like we’re at a Prince concert, enthralled by this flamboyant rockstar as he hypnotizes the ensemble of dancers who scream in delight and throw out their hands, begging him to grace them with his touch.
Our magnetic Dionysis addresses both the ensemble and audience as he introduces himself. He stands on the top stair of a step-pyramid assembled center stage. The stage is an intricate maze of ladders, steps and screens, allowing the cast to slither in and out of view. This dynamic, almost industrial stage design is, in this writer’s view, an exciting polarity for a play adapted by an ancient classic.
One of the highlights of the show was the live solo guitarist, Alicyn Yaffee. She shreds, her guitar licks electrify already heightened moments. The story is told unconventionally, with a blend of monologue, storytelling, song and dance. The fourth wall is shattered and we are addressed along with the ensemble. Sometimes we feel that we are listening in on a secret conversation as cast members share with each other the stories and myths of the powers of the god in their midst.
RECOMMENDED
The Classical Theatre of Harlem’s “The Bacchae”
PLAYWRIGHT – Euripedes; ADAPTED BY Bryan Doerries
DIRECTED BY Carl Cofield
FEATURING:
Jason C. Brown
RJ Foster
Charles Bernard Murray
Andrea Patterson
Brian Demar Jones
Lori Vega
Andrew Farella
Malik Reed
Gabrielle Djenné
Rebecca Ann Peña
Alicyn Yaffee
Daniela Funicello
Ashley LaRosa
Brynlie Helmich
Sai Rodboon
Hannah Gross
Madelyn LaLonde
Harmony Jackson
Kat Files
Creative Team:
Choreographer: Tiffany Rea-Fisher
Costume Designer: Lex Liang
Dramaturg: Shawn René Graham
Lighting Designer: Alan C. Edwards
Scenic Designer: Christopher & Justin Swader
Sound Designer: Curtis Craig
Production Stage Manager: Ralph Stan Lee
Projections Designer: Katherine Freer
Props: Samantha Shoffner
Original Music Composition: Fred Kennedy
To learn more visit The Classical Theatre of Harlem website.
Photos by Brown Dionysus
