Producing the Play “Alcestis”

Is it cheerfully romantic or, bitterly ironic? For nearly 2500 years actors and directors have wrestled with Euripides’ play Alcestis. At a time when plays were labeled either comedies or tragedies, Alcestis seems to be ambiguous enough to be played either way. In the hour to come, we’ll find out from director David Frank and actors from the American Players Theater how they interpret the play and how they make sure that the audience is interpreting it the same way. We’ll go behind the scenes to see how staging and costumes and music all contribute to the desired effect. Along the way, we’ll also discover why Alcestis has become a favorite text for women’s studies and how its psychology is still valid today.