UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Centre Stage, in the College of Arts and Architecture, will present Sophocles’ “Antigone”— translated by Anne Carson and directed by Jenny Lamb, Nov. 11–21, at the Pavilion Theatre.
Set in a not-so-distant future with homage to its ancient Greek lineage, this reimagining of “Antigone” explores the timeless tension between personal belief and the law of the land, set against the backdrop of political unrest and social activism, according to director Jenny Lamb. A fierce woman fights against an oppressive system, choosing to fight for what is morally right even when it means facing impossible consequences.
Lamb wrote, “I feel a sense of immediacy to tell this ancient story now. In a world where we are getting trained to hate, to seek revenge, to alienate those who don’t think like we do, where we are on the brink of a civil war. We must use this story as our own prophetic warning and encourage our community and world to resist and fight for this experiment in democracy before it ends in tragedy.”
Dramaturg Caden Barley added, “The play may be a tragedy, but in every tragedy, there are undeniable bits of comedy. All these moments make the beginning of 'Antigone' feel so heavy … and then the Guard stumbles onstage, sputtering and cracking jokes like a court jester. It’s okay, you can laugh! The innate comedy in this juxtaposition wasn’t lost on Sophocles, and it isn’t lost on us.”
Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m., with matinees at 2 p.m. Evening tickets are $27; previews and matinees are $24; and student tickets are $19. For tickets and more information, visit theatre.psu.edu/centrestage, call 814-863-0255, or stop by the Arts Ticket Center.
All prices include a $4 Ticketmaster fee, which will be waived for in-person or phone purchases. Non–Penn State Arts and Architecture students can attend for free by visiting the Arts Ticket Center during the week of the production.
Penn State Centre Stage is the producing arm of the Penn State School of Theatre in the College of Arts and Architecture, training the next generation of theater professionals.