World Premier of Don Nigro's
Iphigenia, Hosted at TAMU-C, Tuesday Night

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

 

A'Mari Rocheleau, as Jenna Ryan, in Iphigenia.

 

 

It was a "red-letter date" in the history of Theater Arts and Texas A&M University-Commerce, on Tuesday night, as they hosted the World Premier of  famed playwright, Don Nigro's Iphigenia. Theater-goers arrived on a red carpet and following the outstanding production, a reception hosted by the University Provost's Office and the TAMU-C Alumni Association was held for those in attendance, to meet the cast and crew.

Nigro, among the most frequently published and widely produced playwrights in the world, continued his outstanding body of work, with Iphigenia, based on the Greek Mythological character, Iphigenia, daughter of Agamemnon, whom during the Trojan War was said to be sacrificed by her father, when his ships were windbound and captured in the Bay of Aulis. Agamemnon is told that the wind goddess has "stopped the wind" because she is angry with him for a past transgression. Likewise, Nigro weaves a "tale" of past transgressions in a small town in Ohio, when suddenly Nick Demetrius (played by Jacob Layton) appears in the somewhat comfortable life of local banker, Michael Ryan (played by Jeffrey Stirl). Ryan had come to the small community years earlier, deposited a large sum of money in the local bank and married the banker's daughter. However, he brought a secret from New York with him and "Nick" had seen it all as a child.

 

The townspeople in a small Ohio town, set the mood for a family saga, involving
betrayal, blackmail, and deceit.

 

 

Nick demands the affections of Ryan's eighteen year old daughter, Jenna (played by A'Mari Rocheleau) as the sacrifice for his blackmail, but finds the younger daughter, Lexie (played by Kasey Thompson) a threat to fully executing his plan. Meanwhile, Denise Buckels playing family matriarch, Carolyn Ryan, delivers her own "family saga," in the "twisted fates" of the small town drama.

 

 

 

 

Highlights of the production include an underlying adult comedy that keeps you laughing throughout the two acts, as characters expertly deliver memorable performances of great depth and difficulty.  Supporting cast includes townspeople, Kelsey Cooper, Kaitlan Armstrong, Robin Billings, Erica Franks, Samantha Grace, Micah Haynes, and Henry Okigbo. The play is expertly directed by Dr. Carrie Klypchak, with Matt Plummer serving as Assistant Director, and Martha Daniel-Dupree serving as Stage Manager.

 

Michael Ryan, left, laments the sacrifice of his daughter, Jenna, to the "scoundrel," Nick Demetrius, in
Nigro's Iphigenia.

 

 

Mythologist Joseph Campbell says "clues to the spiritual potentiality of the human are discovered at the bottom of the abyss and come to a voice of salvation," and Nigro and the cast of Iphigenia, asks you to "dig deep" to uncover the transgressions of your soul and bring to light the human foibles that shape your every move in life!

 

Jacob Layton, portrays the blackmailing, Nick Demetrius, as he captures the
heart of the audience, in Iphigenia.

 

 

The World Class Iphigenia runs through Sunday, October 17th and is a "must see" for those who enjoy quality theater, in Northeast Texas. It's an opportunity to see a production that you would normally expect to open in New York. Reservations can be made by calling (903)886-5145.

The play will be performed later this year at The Kennedy Center, in the The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival XLIII.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday Night's World Premier Reception

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_____