Quintessence Theatre Presents Anouilh's ANTIGONE

Quintessence Theatre Group continues its second season with Jean Anouilh's 1943 adaptation of Sophocles' ANTIGONE, in a translation by Jeremy Sams, directed by Alexander Burns. ANTIGONE will start previews on Wednesday, February 29th at 7pm and open on Saturday, March 3rd at 8pm at the Sedgwick Theater, 7137 Germantown Ave in Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, 19119. To purchase tickets, visit www.QuintessenceTheatre.org or call 1.877.238.5596.

About the show: Antigone's prideful father King Oedipus sought the truth at the cost of losing his kingdom, his queen, and his eyes. A civil war erupts over which of Antigone's brothers is to rule Thebes and both are killed in the battle. The new leader, her uncle Creon, decides to make one of her brothers a hero. The other is left to rot unburied in the field. Antigone defies her uncle's edict and does what she believes is right. Can a civilization and its ruler survive her civil disobedience?

Written in 1943 during the German occupation of France, ANTIGONE is one of the great adaptations of classic drama which combines the master of Greek tragedy, Sophocles, with the modern wit of French dramatist Jean Anouilh. Celebrated British dramatist Jeremy Sams translates this masterpiece into potent, poetic and contemporary English.

Quintessence has announced Lavita Shaurice*, Robert Jason Jackson* and Cheryl Williams* will make their Quintessence debuts in ANTIGONE. Lavita Shaurice delighted Philadelphia audiences in the Wilma Theatre's production My Wonderful Day and will be taking on the titular role. Celebrated Broadway actor Robert Jason Jackson will come to Philadelphia to bring to life the complex leader Creon. Barrymore Award winner Cheryl Williams will play the nurse. Maechi Aharanwa will also be returning to Philadelphia to make her Quintessence debut as Ismene. Following his celebrated performance as Sganarelle in last season's Don Juan, John Williams will play Prologue. Khris Davis (Lorenzo in The Merchant of Venice and Arlecchino in The Venetian Twins) will play Prince Haemon and Sean Bradley (Bassanio in The Merchant of Venice) returns as the First Guard. The cast also includes Alexander Harvey (Alice in Henry V and Lancelot in The Merchant of Venice) and Doug Greene (Quintessence's Measure For Measure) with Matt Tallman making his Quintessence debut as the Second Guard.

Quintessence Theatre Group is Philadelphia's new professional classical theatre company, dedicated to the performance and adaptation of epic works of classic drama and literature for the Contemporary Stage. Rooted in the traditions of classical drama, we explore what is essential in theatre and human nature, igniting the mind of artists and audiences through the power of the live actor, design and the spoken word.

Over the next five years Quintessence Theatre Group will work to establish an acting ensemble and a rotating repertory at the historic Sedgwick Theater in Mt. Airy, Philadelphia. This past fall The Venetian Repertory marked Quintessence's first demonstration of the power of a classical repertory ensemble. Quintessence Theatre Group will continue its residency at the historic Sedgwick Theater, playing a central role in the renaissance of main street Mt. Airy, a thriving and diverse neighborhood located in northwest Philadelphia.

ANTIGONE plays February 29th – March 25th. A special PAY WHAT YOU CAN preview will be presented on Wednesday, February 29th at 7:00pm. A discussion on Sophocles, Anouilh and Antigone with director Alexander Burns will occur before the show on Thursday, March 15th. A post show discussion with the cast and creative team will take place on Sunday, March 11th and Wednesday, March 21st.

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