‘Metamorphoses’ a fresh, personal take on Greek mythology

Jessica Selby
Posted 10/2/14

Given a single wish, what would you ask for? Would it be wealth, health or material items?

In the play “Metamorphoses,” just such a prospect is presented. When a wealthy landowner’s greed …

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‘Metamorphoses’ a fresh, personal take on Greek mythology

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Given a single wish, what would you ask for? Would it be wealth, health or material items?

In the play “Metamorphoses,” just such a prospect is presented. When a wealthy landowner’s greed takes over, he asks that “everything I touch be turned to gold.”

It’s a wonderful concept, until his young daughter jumps into his arms for a “warm embrace.” Now that loveable, huggable, bouncing ball of joy is nothing more than a statue. 

Other stories highlight different human emotions and experiences. One tells of a sailor called to sea. His true love pleads for him not to go, for she knows his journey will ultimately lead to his demise, but the duty-bound man cannot turn away from his fate.

For weeks she waits by the shore for her true love’s return, not sleeping or eating, just watching as the horizon rises up and down with the waves that bring back neither her love nor his ship.

A dozen men and women, ranging in age from eight to their late 60s, make up the cast of OUT LOUD Theatre’s production of Mary Zimmerman’s “Metamorphoses.” The play, which takes place at the Artists’ Exchange’s black box venue at 50 Rolfe Square in Cranston, encompasses a handful of short stories about Greek mythology.

Even if you are not a Greek mythology connoisseur, you’re sure to find interest in at least one of these seven- to eight-minute short tales. The cast of 13 uses nothing more than words and enthusiasm to tell tales of greed, love lost and decision-making.

In the intimate theatre setting that holds just 18 bucket-style seats, audience members will be immersed in the show. Those sitting in aisle seats might feel the cloth of an actor’s attire as they rush by. Their eyes may be locked on an actor reciting lines just an arm’s length away.

For weeks prior to show time, the actors come together to rehearse their performances in the theatre setting. They memorized their lines, rolled out the set and planned their attire.

“Our message is ‘shoestring innovation,’” Kira Hawkridge, the artistic director for the theatre company, said. “Our goal is to go from space to space, transforming it as we go. It’s memorable to take an empty room, transform it with core ensemble work, pack up and move on.”

Hawkridge and her husband, Alan, put the troupe together after she graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2012. In their second season, Hawkridge said they are still operating on a solely volunteer basis but are pursuing ways to grow.

“We have a truly amazing team that as of right now still operates on a volunteer basis,” she said. “They are extraordinarily generous with their time, but we are now beginning to secure grants and residencies so that we have the support of our shows and projects.”

The cast of “Metamorphoses” includes, in order of appearance, Pat Hawkridge, Joshua Andrews, Sarah Leach, Alexis Ingrim, Sophie Appel, Marc Tiberiis, Marc Tiberiis II, Alex Maynard, Lauren Ustaszewski, Blanche Case, Rico Lani, Aubrey Dion and Alan Hawkridge.

The production’s artistic team includes Chris Bijan Korangy and Marc Tiberiis, music; Alex Maynard, costume design; Marc Tiberiis II, lighting design; Katie Hand, poster design; Siobhan LaPorte-Cauley, stage manager; Meg Navach O’Donovan, assistant stage manager; and Ben Hill and Lauren Dembski, assistant directors.

Performances of “Metamorphoses” will continue this week, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Each show will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door or can be purchased in advance online.

For more information about ticket reservations call 490-9475 or email outloudtheatre@gmail.com. You can also learn more about OUT LOUD Theatre at www.outloudtheatre.org.

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