URI Theatre opens season Oct. 11 with two classic Greek plays in one night

‘Trojan Women,’ ‘Lysistrata’ performances co-sponsored by Honors Colloquium

Tony LaRoche

Lorraine Guerra, left, of Cranston, plays Lysistrata and Ariana Pacheco, of North Kingstown, plays Calonice in URI Theatre’s production of “Lysistrata.” Photo by Michael Salerno.

The University of Rhode Island Department of Theatre will open its 2018-19 season Oct. 11 with “Women and War” – adaptations of two classic Greek plays, “Trojan Women” and “Lysistrata,” both by Ellen McLaughlin.

In the 411 BCE comedy “Lysistrata,” the women of Greece have a plan: if their husbands continue to wage war, they will continue to deny them … um, well … companionship. 

The second offering, the serious and tragic “Trojan Women,” shows the true price of war to the women of Troy. 

“Women and War” is co-sponsored by the URI Honors Colloquium in its investigation “Reimagining Gender: Voices, Power, Action.”

“[‘Lysistrata’ and ‘Trojan Women’] give us bookends to this idea of women and war,” said David T. Howard, new chair of the URI Theatre Department. “’Lysistrata’ is a comedy. … It’s very silly, it’s burlesque, it’s crazy. It was written in 411 BCE, but the things they’re saying they actually said back then.

“‘Trojan Women’ is a very contemporary and resonant play. It was written so long ago, and yet it still speaks to the trauma and the tragedy that besets families at home after war. “

The director of both plays is Kira Hawkridge ’12, artistic director and founder of OUT LOUD Theatre, Providence. Hawkridge directed last fall’s production of “Eurydice.”

Scenic design is by Renee Surprenant ’10, Brown University visiting lecturer in set design. Costume design is by Howard. Lighting design is by Max Ponticelli ’09, and sound design by guest artist Michael Hyde.

Performances of “Women & War” will run Oct. 11-13 and Oct. 18-20 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 14 and Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. in the J Studio of the URI Fine Arts Center, 105 Upper College Road, on the Kingston Campus. General admission is $20. Tickets are $15 for seniors, URI faculty, staff and students. To purchase tickets online, visit web.uri.edu/theatre, or call (401) 874-5843.

Cast for “Lysistrata”

Actor, hometown, character
Lorraine Guerra, Cranston, Lysistrata
Ariana Pacheco, North Kingtown, Calonice
Emily MacLean, Hopkinton, Lampito
Lauren Jannetti, Lincoln, Myrrhine
Emily Carter, Scituate, Dipsas
Alana Parrott, Webster, Mass., Ismenia
Edward Clarke, Narragansett, Magistrate
Mary Mullane, Warwick, Belphragia
Erin McGowan, Zionsville, Pennsylvania, Fisherwoman
Josh Raymo, Portsmouth, Cinesias and Geezer 3
Lily Ferreira, Middletown, Athenian Chorus Leader 1
Shannon Donnelly, North Providence, Athenian Chorus Leader 2
Erik Schlicht, Cumberland, Old Geezer 1
Arturo Puentes, Pawtucket, Geezer 2, Spartan Envoy
Emily Turtle, Barrington, Old Woman 1
Abigail Dufresne, North Kingstown, Old Woman 2
Emma Becker, Tiverton, Old Woman 3
Brooks A. Shatraw, North Smithfield, Spartan Delegate

Cast for “Trojan Women”

Actor, hometown, character
Brooks A. Shatraw, North Smithfield, Poseidon
Emily Carter, Scituate, Hecuba
Mary Mullane, Warwick, Helen
Abigail Dufresne, North Kingstown, Cassandra
Emily Turtle, Barrington, Andromache
J. Edward Clarke, Narragansett, Talthybius

Female chorus:

Emma Becker
Shannon Donnelly
Lily Ferreira
Lorraine Guerra
Lauren Janetti
Emily MacLean
Erin McGowan
Ariana Pacheco
Alana Parrott

Male chorus:

Arturo Puentes
Josh Raymo
Erik Schlicht