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EVENT
KEYURI PARAB, Editorial Assistant
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gweekly.com 910-484-6200.
Greek drama 'Oedipus Rex' opens at the Gilbert Theater
by KEYURI PARAB
"Oedipus Rex" opened with a dramatic flair at
the Gilbert eater on March 26 and will con-
tinue until April 11.
Based on the infamous Greek myth written
by Sophocles in 429 B.C. about the cursed king
Oedipus and his tragic misfortune.
e story entices the audience with compelling
drama, songs and acting. Director and adapter
Montgomery Sutton successfully simplifies the
language for everyone to understand without
taking away its charm.
e drama takes viewers on a journey through
the plague-stricken city of ebes, where the citi-
zens beg their king Oedipus to find a solution.
After promising to end their misfortunes, Oe-
dipus receives a prophecy that changes his life.
Told to solve the murder of the last king of ebes
which went unsolved, Oedipus sets himself on a
path to seek the truth for his people that leads to
his own doom.
Returning actress Deannah Robinson plays
Oedipus and perfectly captures his character -
slightly arrogant, paranoid, honest, righteous, a
loving husband, father and king. Seen before at
the Gilbert in productions like "Laramie Project"
and "Barefoot in the Park," she brings to stage a
new character.
Playing Oedipus brought new enlightenment in
the rehearsals, and there was more sympathy for
him, Robinson said.
e production showcases an almost trial in
search of the truth, and Oedipus becoming more
and more paranoid. Tiresias, the blind prophet,
played by Ella Mock, tells Oedipus that he him-
self is the murderer of the last king. Oedipus then
blames Tiresias for treason, then his brother-in-
law Creon.
e drama unfolds to when an ambassador of
Corinth comes forth and a shepherd to confirm
that Oedipus was the abandoned prince of
ebes, adopted by the royalty of Corinth and did
in fact kill his birth father, Laius, and marry his
own mother, Jocasta.
Mock, who plays multiple characters in the
show including Tiresias and Antigone, said they
were excited about how the show flows.
e show sees many of the actors playing
various roles with much ease and talent. Mock's
performance of the blind prophet Tirisius was
outstanding and leaves the audience at the edge
of their seat. Tim Zimmerman did well in his
various roles, but stood out as Creon.
e music is made better with the live instru-
ments being played and the stunning voices of
Zimmerman, Mock and Helen Steffan.
ose familiar with the original Greek myth
know that the story ends with heartbreak for Oe-
dipus and his kin, as he gouges out his own eyes,
symbolizing his blindness of the obvious truth
and his gruesome fate.
Audiences can expect a night of much drama,
and perhaps some sympathy for Oedipus
the King.
For tickets and more information about the
Gilbert visit, https://www.gilberttheater.com/
index.php
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