Theater Review: “Metamorphoses” at Western CT State University

DANBURY - Western Connecticut State University’s Department of Theatre Arts staged the Drama Desk Award winner and Tony Award nominated “Metamorphoses” in the university’s Visual and Performing Arts Center from April 29 – May 8. The middle weekend of performances were canceled, but I was able to reschedule for one of the final performances during closing weekend.

Written by American playwright and director Mary Zimmerman, this play opened in Broadway’s Circle on the Square Theatre in 2002 and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play. “Metamorphoses” is based on Ovid’s transformation myths, focusing on the concept of change. A series of vignettes, the play subtly mixes the ancient stories of pathos and tragedy with contemporary language, humor and thought.

The WCSU production was directed by Professor of Theater Arts Sal Trapani, a theater writer and composer who is also trained in mime, modern dance and stage combat.

“This production of ‘Metamorphoses’ juxtaposes the ancient and the modern, using original music, dance, song and spoken word to create a ravishing theatricalization of Roman poet Ovid’s powerful masterwork,” said Trapani, adding that, “A brilliant company of student performers embody figures from Greek mythology to share both well-known and rarely told stories of transformation and change in this visually stunning and moving production.”

The entire cast performed barefoot and wearing masks, which unfortunately affected the ability for the audience to understand all of their lines. However, the sound cues designed by Sydney Hope Kuhn, including many sounds of water, were spot on. The audience was also required to keep their masks on in the beautiful theater.

The beautiful set designed by Elizabeth Popiel featured the suggestion of a large pool of water where the pit usually sits in the VPAC, while the musicians sat next to stage left. The lighting changes designed by Scott Cally were magical and broughts us to a storm at sea.

The members of the large cast all played various roles and many had to step up to cover the roles of their castmates. Many performed challenging dance moves in their beautiful costumes designed by Lisa Renee Jordan.

The musical compositions by music director Howard Kilik were integral to the beauty of this production. From the first notes of the prelude to the curtain call, the original music added another layer to the performance. Clio Janis, the assistant music director, led the musicians and could be seen on the monitor aimed at the performers. Kilik covered keyboard one for the second act at the matinee I attended when Janis had to leave for another gig. Sean Donaher played guitar.

The WCSU cast of “Metamorphoses” included understudy Assef Badr, of Stratford; Warren Blidgen as Ceyx, Sisyphus and Eros, senior Julia Bussell as Laundress, Singer, Persephone, and others, junior Raul Calderon, of Waterbury, as Silenus, Hermes, and Vertumnus; junior Abby Cunningham as Scientist, Sailor, Denizen and narrators, junior Rebecca Donaghy, of Larchmont, New York; junior Jenna Drahota, of New Milford, as Sleep, Oread, Fate, and Q; senior Alaina Dwyer, of Orange, as Bacchus, Mother, Nursemaid, and A.

Understudy Leo Faitakes, of Brewster, New York; sophomore Immanuel Farmer, of New York, New York, as Midas, Hades, and Phaeton; senior Sean Gorman, of Bethel, as Erysichthon, Cinyras, Apollo and others; understudy Colby Groves, of Woodstock; understudy Grace Goosman of Endwell, New York; junior Teagan La’Shay, of Seymour, as Eurydice, Therapist and narrators; junior Cara Leahy, of Pawling, New York, as Midas’ daughter Little Girl, Q and Attendant; junior Tori M. Lopez of Westchester, New York, as Alcyone; junior Michael Moriarty, of West Haverstraw, New York, as Servant, Poseidon, and Orpheus; sophomore Anna Raymond, of Pomfret, as Eurydice, Myrrha and Narrators.

Senior Teah M. Renzi, of Newtown, as Alcyone, Singer, Fate, Baucis; junior Nicole Rivera, of Patterson, New York, as Laundress, Lucina, Hunger, Psyche and Narrator; senior Alex Rushton, of White River Junction, Vermont, Zeus, Sailor, The Buyer, Narcissus; junior Reagan Smith, of Wolcott, in the roles of Ceres, Fate, Pomona, A and Narrator; junior Beno Urena, of Bridgeport, as Iris, Hunger, Therapist, and Narrators; understudy Sophia Vessecchia, of Westchester, New York; Justin Villard, of Stamford, as Morpheus, Spirit of the Tree, Denizen and Philemon; and sophomore Samya Woodard, of Bronx, New York, as Aphrodite and Attendant.

Kudos to all of the students and faculty involved in this impressive production.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

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