Oct 5-26: The Odyssey presented by Key City Public Theatre
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Veteran Actor Sails Solo with Homer’s “The Odyssey”
Bethel brings ancient tale to Key City Stage
Port Townsend, Wash. — Running from October 5-26, “The Odyssey” features acclaimed solo artist Charlie Bethel as he reimagines Homer’s famous myth in a faithful, yet utterly accessible format. Charlie’s one-man show voyages across land and sea, explores the underworld, and climbs Mt. Olympus as the brave and courageous hero, Odysseus, valiantly seeks his homeland and a return to the arms of his wife and child.
This sometimes comic, at times harrowing, and always thrilling, epic adventure will surely please fans and novices alike.
Bethel revives old traditions
When asked about his inspiration for adapting “The Odyssey” as a one-man show, Charlie Bethel fervently replies, “Inspired is probably not the word I would use: summoned, commissioned, challenged would be more accurate. Performing this show is a privilege and an honor.” This enthusiastic devotion infuses Bethel’s performance as he valiantly guides the audience through a maze of vengeful Gods, ferocious Cyclopes, and seductive sirens.
Despite the fact that the show finds its inspiration in antiquity, Bethel makes several concessions to modernity in an effort to make the performance more accessible. He says, “I have rearranged Homer’s text in temporal order and peppered it with modern vernacular and quick explanations of some of the finer points of the text.” Bethel says that he wants the audience to “turn off their brains, turn on their minds, and engage in the dreamtime.”
Although, at first glance, performing such a complex and demanding story as a solo artist might seem like punishment from the Gods, Bethel’s performance reminds his audience that “The Odyssey” was borne out of a time when individuals, through the storytelling tradition, took responsibility for the dissemination of history, arts, and culture. Bethel emphasizes this point when asked about the difference between this and a full cast production. He says “no matter how many people are in the cast, audiences come to watch and hear language and movement, with an eye toward narrative. It doesn’t matter if there’s only one person on stage.”
Bethel insists that the centuries old text stays fresh as he learns something new and surprising every time he performs the show but, if he had to boil his lessons down to one aphoristic phrase it would be “Life is lonely and dangerous. Get home soon.”
Show Details
“The Odyssey” is generously sponsored by the Washington State Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. Season sponsors are SOS Printing and Alchemy Wine Bar & Bistro.
Performances run October 5-26 at Key City Playhouse, 419 Washington Street, Port Townsend. For specific dates and times or to buy tickets go to keycitypublictheatre.org or call 360-385-5278.
The performance lasts one hour and 45 minutes (including one intermission). Due to some adult themes, it is recommended for ages 12 over.
Tickets are $20-24 ($10 for students). The October 19th and 23rd performances are pay-what-you-wish, thanks to support from the Port Townsend Arts Commission. The October 5th performance will feature an Afterwords Discussion with Charlie Bethel.
KCPT partners with The ReCyclery to offer Bike Night on Thursday, October 9th. Ride a bicycle to the theater and receive $5 off admission or concessions.
CALENDAR LISTINGS:
Sunday, October 5
Key City Public Theatre presents “The Odyssey,” starring Charlie Bethel. This one-man show features acclaimed solo artist Charlie Bethel as he reimagines Homer’s famous myth in a faithful, yet utterly accessible format. 5:00 p.m. Port Townsend. 360-385-5278. Keycitypublictheatre.org
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, October 9-11
Key City Public Theatre presents “The Odyssey,” starring Charlie Bethel. This one-man show features acclaimed solo artist Charlie Bethel as he reimagines Homer’s famous myth in a faithful, yet utterly accessible format. 7:30 p.m. Port Townsend. 360-385-5278. Keycitypublictheatre.org
Saturday and Sunday, October 18-19
Key City Public Theatre presents “The Odyssey,” starring Charlie Bethel. This one-man show features acclaimed solo artist Charlie Bethel as he reimagines Homer’s famous myth in a faithful, yet utterly accessible format. Saturday 7:30 p.m. Sunday 2:30 p.m. Port Townsend. 360-385-5278. Keycitypublictheatre.org
Thursday, Friday, and Sunday October 23-26
Key City Public Theatre presents “The Odyssey,” starring Charlie Bethel. This one-man show features acclaimed solo artist Charlie Bethel as he reimagines Homer’s famous myth in a faithful, yet utterly accessible format. 7:30 p.m. Port Townsend. 360-385-5278. Keycitypublictheatre.org
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