Word: polyxena
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...Second Troy. The author of "Reproducing Georgia," has created yet another captivating drama which reconstructs the myth of Polyxena and Cassandra, the Trojan prophetess/princess cursed to never be believed. On the eve of the fall of Troy, the doomed sisters, armed with visions of a future feminist world, Diet Coke and therapists, wonder if they can somehow change their fate. Leverett Old Library, 8 p.m. $4 for students; $3 for Leverett residents...
...play takes place as Cassandra (Daniella Raz) and her sister Polyxena (Esme Howard) are in the temple of Apollo waiting for the Greeks, led by Achilles, to storm the temple and capture them. According to myth, Cassandra, who refused the god Apollo's advances, has been cursed by him to speak the truth but never be believed. As a result, she knows what will happen to both herself and her sister. When Cassandra explains that Polyxena must show herself to the Greeks, after which she will be burned and Cassandra will be taken across the sea and murdered, Polyxena...
...play proceeds, the line between reality and myth becomes blurred. Sibling love and rivalry help transport the story to the present day. Departing from the classical story completely, Polyxena starts to bring in modern references, such as "Diet Coke," which she jarringly inserts in the middle of a dialogue...
...addition to reciting a list of topics which affect women in the twentieth century, Polyxena and Cassandra act out a rape scene after Polyxena invites two men to drive in her red convertible; they're obviously not in Troy anymore. Polyxena tries to convince Cassandra to visit her therapist, while Cassandra prophesies the fall of Troy. While inspiring philosophical questions as to who is sane, who mad, and who prophetic, the play does not rely on a political message primarily; it is simply even more intriguing because...
Howard, although occasionally stiff, performs the even more difficult task of creating the modern-classical tension in the play. By playing Polyxena as a classical character with modern-day worries and emotions, Howard forms the believable bridge which makes the play so interesting...