External Forces: Greek Tragedy travels to the 21st Century

SEASON 29 - 2022

EXTERNAL FORCES

Greek Tragedy Travels to the 21st Century

Jacqueline Castañeda

Isabella

Teressa Taylor

Jewel

Tamara Koltes

Minerva

Maricella Ibarra

Carol

Aron Cobb

Chorus

Justin Gubersky

Chorus

David Mac

Chorus

Melissa Kay Anderson

Medea

Charlotte Williams

Glauce

Jacqueline Castañeda

Patrice

Shaq Reeves

Jason

RJ Wayne

Creon

Mack Miles

Aegeus

Daphne Jones

Black Twitter Chorus

Twon Marcel Pope

Black Twitter Chorus

Alisa Murray

Lectra

Shannon Foster

Themis

Teressa Taylor

Nestra

Starina Johnson

Cynthia

Justin Gubersky

Bremerton

Shannon Foster

Polly

Skylar Silverlake

Achilles

Teressa Taylor

Diane

RJ Wayne

Herman

Aron Cobb

Junior

Kira Hoag

Iris

Experience a retelling of classic Greek tragedies through the lens of Towne Street Theatre, Los Angeles’ premiere African-American Theatre Company. This production of short plays explores drama, humor, love, and loss spanning from the Civil War to modern-day America. Experience engaging, complex, and rich stories showcasing diverse and brave voices.

Written by: Tony Robinson

Source: Lysistrata by Aristophanes

Time: Old West / 1870

Directed by: Nancy Cheryll Davis Bellamy

Tony Robinson

Playwright

Nancy Cheryll Davis Bellamy

Director

Isabella Estrada

The war between north and south is over, but the hostilities have moved to the western frontier. As the bodies mount, one woman has had enough. Isabella Estrada rallies the women to bring an end to the conflicts by withholding the one thing all their men want... and it ain’t whiskey.

Written by: Barbara White Morgan

Source: Medea by Euripides

Time: 2022 / Belle Canto, an upscale California city

Directed by: Nancy Cheryll Davis Bellamy

Barbara White Morgan

Playwright

Nancy Cheryll Davis Bellamy

Director

Medea

Medea’s jealousy results into the ultimate tragedy and Black Twitter is all over it!

Written by: Mildred Inez Lewis

Source: Electra by Sophocles

Time: 1940 -Mississippi Delta juke joint

Directed by: Nancy Cheryll Davis Bellamy

Mildred Lewis

Playwright

Nancy Cheryll Davis Bellamy

Director

Juked

The cheapness in which Black life is held infects the house of Agamemnon in a 1940's Mississippi Delta juke joint.

Queen of Sorrows

It is 1864, and the South is losing the Civil War. General Aldous Bremerton is forced to sell several of his two hundred slaves, including young Polly (Polyxena), to Major Achilles in order to pay his own regiment. But Cynthia Bremerton, his wife, goes insane with grief, and begs him not to sell Polly, who has been gently raised as her "companion." What is the terrible secret Cynthia has kept from her husband, and from Polly? Has it caused the curse which murders their son Doros? Can Polly and Cynthia escape the wrath of Achilles -- and the slave system which entraps them both --- and go North to live in Boston? Or is it already too late?

Written by: Madeline Daly Puccioni

Source: Hecuba by Euripides

Time: 1864 - the American Civil War. The Acropolis – a plantation near Athens, Georgia

Directed by: Veronica Thompson

Madeline Daly Puccioni

Playwright

Veronica Thompson

Director

Real Housewife of Trachis

A former beauty queen turned reality star confronts aging and her husband’s young mistress with tragic results.

Written by: Dara Harper

Source: Women of Trachis by Sophocles

Time: Summer 2021 / The largest mansion in a Beverly Hills neighborhood, home to the stars.

Directed by: Veronica Thompson

Dara Harper

Playwright

Veronica Thompson

Director

Written by: Raymond Mitchell

Source: Oedipus Rex by Sophocles

Time: Detroit, 1968

Directed by: Veronica Thompson

Raymond Mitchell

Playwright

Veronica Thompson

Director

The Fire Burns Deepest at Night

Unfolding in the midst of the Detroit '67 riots and a historic election, Cynthia falls for a sly congressman who may or may not be her son...

TST's return to live theatre was a triumph!

Thank you to everyone who came out to our SOLD OUT performances of External Forces in May.

And a very special thank you to A NOISE WITHIN for hosting us in our Return to Live Theatre in Two Years!

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Praise From The Audience

"Clever, trenchant and engaging, External Forces imaginatively explores the contemporary truths in myth."

"Magical!'

"So good!"

"I had a great time!"

"Bravo!"

"Thank you for an amazing ride down the Greek Tragedy lane! It was uniquely creative and I applaud all your efforts and talents External Forces was beautifully executed (loved what you did with the space as well), rich, and bold. What a treat to be immersed in these modern retelling of the Greeks."

"We really enjoyed our afternoon. It was great to witness Towne Street Theatre's work and community."

"Congrats on the return to LIVE theater!!!!"

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