BW Little Theatre Returns with Live Performances Next Weekend

Based on the stories of the Roman author Ovid, this play is about metamorphoses—transformations or changes—that are the result of love.

The drama includes the story of Midas (senior Khaleo Price), who accidentally transforms his daughter (freshman Leontine Rickert) into gold because he is consumed by a love of money.  It includes the tale of Orpheus (senior Jordan Roy), who loves his wife Eurydice (junior Avita Hall) so passionately that he travels to the underworld to reclaim her after she dies.

The play includes the story of Myrrha (junior Wini James), who is cursed by Aphrodite because she refuses to fall in love.  It includes the myth of Baucis (senior Elise Moore) and Philemon (junior Jerry Aplin), an old couple who love humanity as dearly as they love each other.

All of these stories are enacted in and around a large pool, with water—the most changeable of all substances—serving as a central metaphor in the play.

Metamorphoses has become a modern classic.  It began its life at Northwestern University, where Mary Zimmerman was a professor, and it premiered on Broadway in 2002.  That year, the play received the Drama Desk Award for best play and the Lucille Lorton Award for best play; it also received three Tony nominations, including one for best play.

The production is directed by Mr. John Lodle and Mr. Jamie Klien.  The student directors are seniors Carmen Baldridge, Kacie Denton, Josh McWhorter, Elise Moore, and junior Emma Loewe.  The student technical directors are seniors Morgan Elliff, Mason Hagarty, Jenna Heidbreder, Lexi Herbeck, Ayden Thurnau, Allison Zaiz, and junior Mallory Houk.

Performances are at 7:00 each evening in the Belleville West Performing Arts Center, located at 4063 Frank Scott Parkway West.  Tickets are $7 for students and $10 for adults.  Health protocols are in place to safeguard audience members, student actors, and student technicians.

Advanced tickets are available at https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/56822.