Theatre UCF Stages Sarah Ruhl's EURYDICE, Now thru 3/3

Theatre UCF presents Sarah Ruhl's contemporary drama Eurydice from tonight, February 21-March 3, 2013.

Based on the Greek myth of the musician Orpheus, Ruhl's Eurydice observes the story from the perspective of his wife, Eurydice. In the legend, Eurydice dies and Orpheus can save her by leading her out of the underworld, as long as he does not turn to look back at her following him. However, he cannot resist and she is destined to remain in the underworld forever.

Ruhl's script introduces an additional character, Eurydice's deceased father, who is already in the underworld. The cast is rounded out with a man/child who tempts Eurydice into the underworld and a chorus of stones.

BFA Musical Theatre student Deirdre Manning, who plays the title role of Eurydice, describes the show in one word: "imaginative."

The production has many abstract elements, and Director Julia Listengarten has created unconventional worlds for the characters and audience members to explore. Characters slip between the underworld and overworld with ease, using a fireman's pole as a vehicle. Letters are written on the string of a violin, in glowing sand, or with a toss of confetti.

Even the movement and language is different in these new worlds. The chorus of stones has its own method of communication. Movement Director Anna Carol (MFA Acting) worked with the chorus to create a unique personality for the stones. The stones echo each other, and speak with a popping staccato. Their movement is merely reactive; they only move when prompted by another character.

Listengarten "hopes audiences come with an open mind and interested in collaborating with us, trying to understand the worlds we are creating, not just on logical, rational level but on a visceral level."

Manning connects more with the themes of the play. "This script is beautiful. Everyone can connect with a story about love and loss. It is universal."

Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl and directed by Julia Listengarten will run at Theatre UCF tonight, February 21, 22, 23, 28, March 1, 2 at 8 pm and February 24, March 3 at 2:00 pm in the Theatre UCF Black Box, 4000 Central Florida Boulevard, Orlando, Fla.

Price: Standard $20, Senior $18, Student $10; Group discounts available. Box Office Phone: (407) 823-1500. Box Office Hours: Monday through Friday: noon to 6 p.m. and 2 hours before performances. For more information about Theatre UCF, visit theatre.ucf.edu.

Theatre UCF is a program in the School of Performing Arts at the University of Central Florida. The department's graduate and undergraduate programs focus on providing a competitive edge to theatre artists seeking professional theatre careers, as well as to future creative intellectual leaders. The program offers theatrical presentations year-round to the public at the east Orlando campus. For more information about attending performances call 407-823-1500 or visit www.theatre.ucf.edu.