Missouri Western Theatre program to perform 'Antigone'

"It's a fun piece. And I say that, but it's also a tragic, heartbreaking story," Quillin said.

Adapted by the prize-winning author Anne Carson, Missouri Western's take on this ancient Greek tragedy is a more accessible translation. The production will be performed at the Potter Hall Theater at Missouri Western at 7:30 p.m. April 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13 and at 2 p.m. on April 7. 

Centered around Antigone (Angel Edwards), it opens with her mourning her two brothers, who were killed in a battle over the control over the city of Thebes. She is feuding with Creon (Ben Smith), the king of the city, who orders the burial of one brother, Eteocles, while refusing to lay the other one, Polyneices, to rest. 

Quillin said while he's studied the text in school, it wasn't until he sat down with the cast that he really took to it's deeper themes.

"When you sit down in front of your actors, and they read it out loud ... It's amazing how poignant and timely, really, those themes truly are," he said. 

Having directed previous productions that were written in dense text, Quillin said he was happy to present a classic work that's more palatable to the public. 

"It's written to feel like modern language," he said.

The production was a fun challenge to the young cast, as they worked through the text's messages of feminism, empowerment and going against the powers that be.

"They've had pages of monologues and it's fairly heavy stuff that they're throwing down. So all of a sudden, last night, was the time when they stepped back and let go. And when they let go they went 'Oh,'" Quillin said. 

While "Antigone" traditionally takes place in Greece, Quillin said they wanted to place this in a non-descript location, where the audience can fill in the blanks. 

"We've kind of chose to set it in this fictional place that's in the modern world that's a First-World country with Third-World problems," he says. "It's not past, present or future. It just is." 

While it keeps some of the standard Greek play characteristics, like a Greek chorus that provides commentary and multiple roles for its cast members, it's a production that's uniquely Missouri Western Theatre Department's own vision. 

"It's just a beautiful story," he said. "The power of her ability to stand up and say 'That's not right.' In a world where everybody and their brother is going 'Yes, King. We agree. Absolutely.' I can't think of a more timely story to tell."

Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for students, $10 for Missouri Western employees and free for Missouri Western students with valid ID. Tickets will be available at the door, or can be purchased in advance at mwsutix.com, by calling 486-271-4452 or by visiting the Potter Hall Box Office.