Nov. 15 "Informance" Will Provide Primer on Play Eurydice

For release: November 3, 2008
For press information, contact Gabrielle Maxey, 901/678-2843

The Marcus W. Orr Center for the Humanities and the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Memphis will present an “informance” of Sarah Ruhl’s play Eurydice at 6 p.m. Saturday, November 15, in the lobby of the College of Communication and Fine Arts Building on the U of M campus. The event is free and open to the public.

An informance is a 20- to 30-minute talk about the play, followed by questions and comments. The idea is to serve both as a primer for those who haven’t seen the play as well as an opportunity for those who have seen it to share their thoughts or gain a new perspective. Barbara Ching, U of M associate professor of English, will lead the informance.

The play, directed by Leslie Barker, will be performed on the CCFA’s Main Stage at 8 p.m. November 13-15 and 20-22.  Eurydice, which revisits the Greek myth of Orpheus, is a modern tale of loss and love from the heroine’s point of view. On the day Eurydice is to marry her true love, Orpheus, a tragic misstep sends her plummeting to the surreal depths of the underworld. Memories are forbidden in this world of the dead, but an unexpected reunion with her father vividly awakens Eurydice’s mind with the love she felt in life. When Orpheus braves the gates of hell to find her, Eurydice must make the painful decision whether to remain with her father or return to her earthly love. 

For more information about events or programs of the Marcus Orr Center, visit its Web site at http://cas.memphis.edu/isc/moch  or call Jonathan Judaken at 901-488-7475.