Greek mythology has evolved throughout history in forms of modern art, literature, and even video games, making it difficult to remain original and relevant. Cleveland High School’s production of “Eurydice” in the Black Box theater rose to the challenge, confronting the standard convention of love stories and delivering a unique perspective on loss and death.
The play was double-cast, each night being performed by the Sarah cast or the Ruhl cast. In the Sarah cast on March 31, the two leads, Eurydice, played by Owl Matthews, and Orpheus, played by Mingus Kiser, convincingly portrayed a tragic relationship that inevitably resulted in grief.
Written by Sarah Ruhl in 2003, “Eurydice” reimagines the classic Greek story of Orpheus and Eurydice into a modern and more artistic interpretation. The play tells the story of Eurydice, who dies on her wedding day, and her journey through the dreary Underworld as she reconnects with her deceased father and struggles to remember her past.
Traditional narratives of this story usually follow Orpheus as the main character, and the passion he has for music and his infatuation with his dead wife. In “Eurydice,” it was refreshing to see the female lead take center stage, with more of a focus on the complexities of her character and exploring her relationship with her father, played by Sylvia Stevens, rather than only focusing on romance.
Matthews and Stevens had a series of interesting interactions, as Eurydice’s father reteaches her the human language and consoles her after death. This tranquil, but often playful dynamic contrasted with the more serious and all-consuming nature of the relationship between Eurydice and her husband Orpheus. While the father-daughter duo is not even mentioned in the original myth, the inclusion of the father’s character helped balance out Eurydice, and made her character development not completely codependent on Orpheus.
The play also featured a chorus of stone characters who managed to be both terrifying and hilarious at the same time, interjecting into the dialogue frequently. Dressed in all black and eerie masks obstructing their faces, the actors did a phenomenal job at maintaining a very distinct stage presence. They all spoke in frightening voices, however, their commentary was often loud and humorous, as they scolded Eurydice and her father for breaking the rules of the Underworld by showing emotions.
At the conclusion of the play, Eurydice chooses to stay in the Underworld with her father rather than return to the living world with Orpheus, only to find that her father has dipped in the River Styx and has lost all memory of her. The tragic and emotional ending to this play was perfectly executed, leaving a lasting and bittersweet impression on the audience.
Throughout the play, the cast had the audience laughing at the comical lord of the Underworld and the stones one moment, only to create a somber mood as Eurydice struggles through her internal conflict the next. The “Eurydice” play was truly an experience, a quirky retelling of a classic story that still captivates audiences today, reminding us of the fragility of mortal memory and relationships.
