The most recent play produced by the Theatre 260 class, under the brilliant direction of WCC theatre lecturer Taurie Kinoshita, ran Oct. 21 through 29 at Palikū Theatre.
Metamorphoses was written by Mary Zimmerman and is based on a narrative poem penned by the Roman poet Ovid in the year 8 CE, right before he was exiled and his works banned by Roman Emperor Augustus.
Ovid’s epic poem describes the creation and history of the world through the time of Julius Caesar and uses stories from Greek mythology.
Zimmerman’s play follows well-known and more obscure characters such as King Midas, Orpheus, Eurydice, Vertumnus, Pomona, Eros and Psyche. Two additional scenes featuring Callisto and Arcas and Hades and Persephone were written by Kinoshita.
According to Kinoshita, Ovid’s original work was considered “dangerously pagan” and was almost lost for all time due to censorship.
The play by Zimmerman is “singularly modern and Judeo-Christian in perspective. Men are not weak for loving women. Rather, they appear stronger. Love is not viewed as a destabilizing force (but) rather a source of power and the secret of eternal life,” Kinoshita said. The theme of love’s ability to transform was evident throughout the play.
The stellar student cast delivered awesome performances. This was especially remarkable since only two of them had any acting experience.
The cast consisted of Abigail-Joyce Ramsay, Caleb Long, Jae An, Jennifer Fachan, Lizz Eachus, Michael Joseph Wall, Natalie Henderson, Tamatoa Baker, Thomas Bradley Rose, Trace Rooney and Zack Ayala. All of the actors played multiple parts, switching smoothly and believably back and forth between characters.
The realistic, exciting stage combat was staged by the incomparable WCC theatre instructor Nicolas Logue and theatre student and veteran actor Brandon DiPaola.
The music throughout the play was expressive, poignant and moving, a testament to the amazing talent of director Kinoshita. Each scene transitioned seamlessly into the next.
The costumes were designed by Iris Kim. The use of modern clothing and Classical Roman togas highlighted the fact that the characters are universal and timeless.
If you missed out on this compelling and engaging production, make sure you don’t miss the next performance by our talented theatre department.
by Cynthia Lee Sinclair, Ka ‘Ohana Staff Reporter
