Ithaca College Theatre Will Stage ‘Mary Zimmerman’s Metamorphoses’
Ithaca College Theatre will present Mary Zimmerman’s “Metamorphoses” in early
December. Performances of this Tony Award–winning play will be held at 8 p.m. on
Dec. 2, 4-6 and 9-13. Matinees will be offered at 2 p.m. on Dec. 6, 7, and 13. All
performances will take place in the Clark Theatre in Dillingham Center. This production
contains nudity.
Ticket prices for “Metamorphoses” range from $4.50 to $10 and can be purchased
from the Ithaca College Theatre ticket office in Dillingham Center or by calling (607)
274-3224. Tickets can also be purchased at the Ticket Center at Clinton House by calling
(607) 273-4497 or online at www.ithacaevents.com. Group discounts are available.
“Metamorphoses” is based on Ovid’s classic narrative poem, which tells the
transformation myths of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Using contemporary language
and familiar characters, such as King Midas and his golden touch and Orpheus and
Eurydice in the underworld, Zimmerman’s “Metamorphoses” explores the meaning of
being alive through moments of change and the expression of universal emotions.
“‘Metamorphoses’ uses Ovid’s myths to provide us with those transformative
moments when we open our eyes and take in the magnitude of the human condition,” said
director Jeffrey Tangeman, assistant professor of theatre arts. “In these moments we are
able to feel the indescribable joy and bliss in love, the pain in loss, the hollowness in
regret and the overwhelming humbleness we feel when given a second chance.”
The focal point of the set for “Metamorphoses” is a large pool in which much of the
play’s action takes place. Designed by Katie Woodward ’10, the set reinforces the shared
nature of the human condition as the performers interact with this basic element.
Audience members sit on three sides of the pool and are invited to engage intimately with
the characters.
Zimmerman is an artistic associate of Chicago’s Goodman and Lookingglass
Theatres and a 1998 recipient of the MacArthur Foundation’s “genius grant.” Her
original production of “Metamorphoses,” prompted an in-depth interview with Bill
Moyers, creator the seminal PBS series, “Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth.”
During her 2001 conversation with Moyers, Zimmerman said, “There are lots of gods in
‘Metamorphoses,’ and the Greek gods, I believe, are twelve different names for feelings
inside ourselves. So there are moments when you’re being governed by Aphrodite; she’s
chairing the meeting of all the different parts of your personality. There are moments
when you are governed by Zeus, when you’re in a kind of authoritative position and
you’re very reasonable. There are moments when you’re being governed by Mars and
you’re crazy angry. But all those different parts exist inside us; it’s just sort of who’s
chairing the meeting at different times. You know, who’s really got the upper hand at that
moment.”
The cast of “Metamorphoses” includes Morgan Lavenstein ’11, Alison Walter ’10,
Megan Watt ’11, Jessica Bennett ’11, Jessica Caiola ’09, Justin Colombo ’11, Angelica
Danielle Duncan ’09, Ben Fankhauser ’11, Charlie Forray ’11, Heather Frase’09, Aaron
Fried ’10, Danny Lindgren ’12, Jon-Michael Miller ’09, Matt Musgrove ’10, Hillary
Patingre ’09, Marcin Antonio Pawlikiewicz ’10, Parker Pogue ’10, Tim Quartier ’11,
Josh Sedelmeyer ’12, Abbe Tanenbaum ’10 and Alexandra Zenn ’12.
The choreographer for “Metamorphoses” is assistant professor of theatre arts
Lindsay Gilmour. In addition to Woodward, the design team includes costume designer
Allison Gentry ’09, lighting designer David Arsenault ’10 and sound designer Jillian
Marie Walker ’09. The technical director is Marit Estergreen ’09. The stage manager is
Hannah Dorfman ’10. The dramaturge is Jason Barrera ’11.
A nationally recognized professional theater training program, the Department of
Theatre Arts attracts students from across the United States. Through Ithaca College
Theatre and the production season, undergraduate students present all aspects of theater
in a professional model. Ithaca College Theatre has been a cultural resource for
Tompkins County and the region for more than 70 years.