DePauw Theater to stage 'Antigone' April 16 - 19

DePauw University students rehearse a scene from "Antigone," to be staged April 16-19 at Moore Theatre in the Performing Arts Center. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. April 16-18 and 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 19. (Courtesy photo)

DePauw University Theater will present "Antigone," a high-stakes drama which has been entertaining audiences for more than 2,500 years after being written by Sophocles.

The April 16-19 DePauw production, directed by Caroline Good, part-time instructor of communication and theater and costume shop supervisor, opens Thursday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. in Moore Theatre of the Judson and Joyce Green Center for the Performing Arts.

Subsequent performances will be staged Friday and Saturday, April 17 and 18, at 7:30 p.m. with a final performance on Sunday, April 19 at 3 p.m.

The story finds Antigone facing a choice between obeying divine law and defying authority when burying her dead brother, Polyneices. Her sister, Ismene, has reservations over Antigone's desire to bury their brother knowing King Creon has shamed their brother in death.

Choosing family over state, Antigone finds herself risking everything for what she believes is just.

"Antigone" is the third of the Theban Plays written by Sophocles. It's an expansion of a Theban legend predating it and a continuation of Aeschylus' "Seven Against Thebes."

The play was written in approximately 441 B.C., at a time when Sophocles was appointed a general to lead a military expedition against Samos. While Sophocles keeps the play's issues separate from his real life, he does make a statement about the dangers of the absolute ruler.

Attendees can join the cast and crew for an opening-night reception in the Green Center's Great Hall following the April 16 performance, and for a talkback session following the April 17 show.

Tickets for "Antigone" are $3 for students and $6 for adults.