MEDIA CONTACT: Judy Moore at (847) 491-4819 or jkm229@northwestern.edu

April 12, 2004

Updated Aristophanes Play to Be Presented

EVANSTON, Ill. --- There won’t be a feather in sight during the upcoming performances of the re-imagined version of Aristophanes’ classic comedy “The Birds” that will be presented on the Evanston campus by Northwestern University’s Theatre and Interpretation this spring.

The whimsical bird-shaped costumes are made of velvet, silk, wool and stretch knits and some are trimmed with French knotted yarn and ruffles.

Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. April 23 and April 24; 2 p.m. April 25; 7:30 p.m. April 29; April 30 and May 1; and 2 p.m. May 2, at the Josephine Louis Theatre, 20 Arts Circle Drive.

Considered one of Aristophanes finest works, it tells the story of two Athenians in search of “elsewhere,” who arrive in the land of the Birds. Thus begins a comedic and provocative encounter betweens humans, birds and gods as wildly different worlds collide.

Conceived and directed by Northwestern graduate student Leslie Buxbaum, the contemporary reworking of this classic text is both thought provoking and entertaining.

“The play was first performed in 414 B.C,” said Buxbaum, who has cut nearly 75 per cent of the original text because one would need footnotes to understand it. “Much of its humor, its politics, its specificity is tied to its historical context. I am creating a production inspired by “The Birds,” allowing it to morph into a contemporary version -- one which I think is hugely relevant, moving, and funny.”

Buxbaum describes the stage production’s innovative design elements as “incredible.”

“Jacqueline Chau has designed a set that transforms the space as the play progresses,” she said. “The set changes occur during the course of the scenes. The characters build our version of a city in front of the audience. Ana Kuzmanic has designed costumes that are a collision of worlds -- human-bird hybrids that are smart, whimsical and visually spectacular. Lee Keenan plans to use lights to radically transform our perspective on what we are seeing -- moving from fluorescent-like bureaucratic rooms to ‘god-like’ backlighting, creating shadows. Gary Ashwal is creating videos that help tell the meta-story of the production -- the human desire for flight. And Dave Pavkovic is composing an original musical score.“

Ticket prices are $17 for the general public; $15 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $9 for full-time students. To order tickets by phone, call (847) 491-7282.