Caeneus and Poseidon, world premiere play in verse, opens March 10 in Redwood City

[Bridgette Portman]

Bridgette Dutta Portman, Wm. Deidrick Razo, Patrick Moyroud, and Dragon 2nd Stages Present the World Premiere of

CAENEUS AND POSEIDON

a new play in verse about a transgender hero

directed by Amy Crumpacker

March 10 - April 2, 2017

Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8 pm,

Sundays at 2 pm

Dragon Theatre, 2120 Broadway St. Redwood City (close to Caltrain)

 

For tickets and more information please visit http://www.poseidonplay.com/ or http://www.dragonproductions.net/

Caeneus and Poseidon is a world premiere play in verse about a transgender hero from Greek mythology.

Caeneus, a youth from ancient Thessaly, begins his life as Caenis, assigned female at birth.  After the sea-god Poseidon grants his wish for a new body, Caenis – now Caeneus – feels compelled to hide his former identity from all but his closest friend, Hippodamia, as he seeks the acceptance of his kinsmen and community.  But as he and Hippodamia begin a relationship that challenges their society’s strict social order, and as a vengeful Poseidon works behind the scenes to bring about Caeneus’ downfall, the young man must find the strength to openly embrace his identity and his past.  Caeneus and Poseidon, originally commissioned and written for the 2012 San Francisco Olympians Festival, explores the consequences for an individual who transgresses the bounds of socially-defined gender roles in a strongly patriarchal society and is ultimately a story of triumph over adversity.  This production is funded in part by a Theatre Bay Area CA$H grant and a grant from the Arch and Bruce Brown Foundation, a New York-based nonprofit that provides funding for arts projects inspired by LGBTQ figures in history.

Featuring: Nicky Martinez (Caeneus), Michael Wayne Rice (Poseidon), Sharon Shao (Hippodamia), Daniel Joyce (Pirithous), Scott Kravitz (Elatus), Alexander Ortiz (Latreus), Elena Ruggiero (Nereid), Regina Kohl (Nereid), Mylissa Malley (Nereid)

Designers & Production Team: Jonathan Covey (sound designer), Amy Crumpacker (director, properties designer), David Donovan (set designer), Lindsey Eifert (costume designer), Ashley Taylor Frampton (production manager), Meredith Hagedorn (executive producer), Leanna Keyes (lighting designer), Max Koknar (manager), Polina Litvak (stage manager), Charles McKeithan (technical director), Patrick Moyroud (coproducer), Alexander Ortiz (assistant stage manager), Bridgette Dutta Portman (playwright, coproducer), Scott Ragle (photographer), Ashley Kea Ramos (graphic artist), Wm. Diedrick Razo (coproducer, assistant director), Roman Rimer (script consultant), Sydney Schwindt (fight choreographer), Kazimir Valtchez (script consultant). 

WHEN:

March 10 – April 2, 2017

Thursdays – Saturdays, 8pm, Sundays, 2pm

Pay What You Will Preview, Thursday, March 9 at 8pm

Opening Night Friday, March 10

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL EVENTS:

MARCH 11 - GREEK MYTHOLOGY NIGHT

On Saturday, March 11, it's all about Greek mythology! Sample Greek snacks and come dressed up as your favorite character from mythology (Greek or otherwise - feel free to let other mythologies inspire you too) for a chance to win a prize in our costume contest. Then join us pre-show for a talk by Bay Area playwright and director Stuart Bousel, founder of the San Francisco Olympians Festival, about the mythology behind the characters of Caeneus and Poseidon. Playwright Bridgette Dutta Portman will also discuss how the play both borrows from and departs from the original myth. Show up at 7 pm for the costume contest; talk begins at 7:30.

MARCH 19 - TALKBACK WITH DIRECTOR, CAST & PLAYWRIGHT

Join us post-show on Sunday, March 19, for a talk-back with director Amy Crumpacker, playwright Bridgette Dutta Portman, and the cast of Caeneus and Poseidon. Hear about the inspiration behind the play and the rewards and challenges of staging a new play that blends the classic and the contemporary.

MARCH 26 - GENDER IDENTITY DISCUSSION PANEL​

​Join us following the matinee performance on Sunday, March 26, for a panel discussion on gender identity and what it means to be transgender, genderfluid or nonbinary in today’s society. Speakers include Trans Lifeline cofounder and Executive Director Greta Gustava Martela, actor Nicky Martinez, actor and radio host Roman Rimer, and model and actor Carmin Anna Cole. Twenty percent of box office proceeds from today’s show will be donated to Trans Lifeline, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping transgender people in crisis (http://www.translifeline.org/).