Note to self: Do not name the baby Medea.
At least, that’s what I’m thinking after seeing Euripedes’ Greek classic Medea put on by the Third Wall theater company at the outdoor National Art Gallery tonight.
Chances are you’ve heard of the Greek myth where a great mystic from the east falls in love with Jason, leader of the Argonauts, and aids them in capturing the golden fleece. But do you remember what happens after Jason arrives home triumphantly in Corinth with his new wife Medea?
Turns out Jason marries her, has two sons by her, and then is offered the opportunity to marry a royal princess of Corinth . . . and well . . . Medea doesn’t take too kindly to being pushed aside. So she carefully plots the death of the new bride, the bride’s father and her own two kids to gain her revenge on Jason.
Yikes. The all-female cast did a pretty good job with the story. The outdoor amphitheater at the NAG was a nice setting for the play. The singing left a little to be desired. And I have to wonder if the parking ticket I got upon returning to the car was Medean fate. What did I ever do to her?
Ever wondered what would happen if poor Rapunzel was hard of hearing? It sure ain’t her hair that she starts tossing out the window . . .
