Dead Playwrights Repertory

Shakespeare, Sophocles in Bloody Family Rep

Family loyalty is a powerful thing, whether it's family by blood, marriage, or friendship. When that loyalty is shaken, tragedy inevitably follows. This is the theme that runs throughout DPR's Spring 2013 repertoire, "Blood Is Thicker than Water," featuring William Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus, Shakespeare's and John Fletcher's Two Noble Kinsmen, and The Children of Oedipus based on Sophocles' works.

The repertoire runs weekends from April 27 to May 4.

The Children of Oedipus, directed by Douglas Overtoom, is the story of Oedipus's children after his tragic fall from grace. Oedipus's sons, each unwilling to give up or share the crown, betray their fraternal relationship with tragic results. Antigone, their sister, puts family bonds above all else, risking her own life to do right by her brother, while sister Ismene want to help but cannot bring herself to go as far as Antigone. This show incorporates the trilogy written by Sophocles: Oedipus at Colonus, Seven against Thebes, and Antigone.

DPR staged a reading last fall of Titus Andronicus, and now returns with a full production of Shakespeare's early and bloodiest tragedy, directed by Kirk Paul. Shakespeare's late work, Two Noble Kinsmen, may be lighter in theme and scope, but it features two cousins who are also best friends willing to destroy each other to get what they each covet, namely the love of a woman. Overtoom also directs this production.

As usual, the House Band Antic Disposition will play 15 minutes prior to curtain and at intermission.

Show dates are as follows:

• Saturday, April 27, Children Of Oedipus, 3 p.m., Two Noble Kinsmen, 8 p.m.
• Sunday, April 28, Two Noble Kinsmen, 3 p.m., Titus Andronicus, 7 p.m.
• Friday, May 3, Titus Andronicus, 8 p.m.
• Saturday, May 4, Children Of Oedipus, 3 p.m., Two Noble Kinsmen, 8 p.m.
• Sunday, May 5, Titus Andronicus, 3 p.m.

All performances are at Haddonfield Friends Meeting House, 45 Friends Ave., Haddonfield NJ 08033. Tickets are $10 for children and seniors, $15 for adults. Combo tickets are $25. For tickets, contact Wendie Hetherington at 267-639-0231, or e-mail deadplaywrightsrep@gmail.com, or see www.Deadplaywrightsrepertory.org.

March 20, 2013

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