Homer's _Odyssey_ Performed by Curio Theate Company in Philadelphia
June Samaras
From: Dr Rudolph Masciantonio <Rudol...@aol.com>
Date: Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 1:34 PM
The Curio Theatre Company (based at the Calvary Center for Culture and
Community at 4740 Baltimore Ave. in Philadelphia) is presenting
through mid March a
recitation of _The Odyssey_ freely adapted from the translation of A.T.Murray
done by three actors (Dare we call them rhapsodes?)with musical accompaniment
(bells, chimes, a plucked guitar, and small drums). The recitation starts in
Greek (very well recited) and then switches to English. There are two male
actors and one female. Each assumes roles in the poem as appropriate. The
presentation lasts one hour and fifty minutes without intermission
and covers the
entire sweep of the _the Odyssey_ though obviously with omissions. The
presentation is in the decrepit but impressive candlelit main
sanctuary of what used to
be a large Protestant church and is now headquarters for a number of
agencies and groups including the Curio Theatre Company. Jared Reed
starred along
with Paul Kuhn and Jennifer Summerfield. Jared Reed did the adaptation of the
text. The actors were in modern dress and faced the audience with a little
podium in front on which their musical instruments were located.
Their knowledge of
the lines and their interpretations were, I thought, superb.
I was there last night and found the presentation enchanting. If this was
what performances of Homer were like in antiquity no wonder he was so beloved.
The Curio Theatre Company has a website, viz., www.curiotheatre.org. The
Calvary Center is located along the route 34 subway surface trolley from Center
City on a well lit and safe looking block, even though it is in zip code 19143
which has one of the highest crime rates in the city.
Most cordially,
Rudy Masciantonio
Dr. Rudolph Masciantonio
429 S. 20th St., Apt. A
Philadelphia, PA 19146
e-mail: Rudol...@aol.com
telephone: 215 732 6431
website: http://members.aol.com/Rudolphus9
................................