BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

GUTHRIE ANNOUNCES RETURN ENGAGEMENT OF

AN ILIAD

ACTOR STEPHEN YOAKAM TO REPRISE HIS ROLE AS THE POET IN THIS CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED ADAPTATION OF HOMERS CLASSIC

Stephen Yoakam portrays this poet--a prophet really--who scalds our conscience with a celebration of war far more powerful than any condemnation.

Star Tribune

[A] visually arresting, sumptuously performed piece of theater that is intellectually and emotionally engaging. ... It's a rangy, eclectic and sometimes electric performance, filled with bravura moments.
Pioneer Press

Stephen Yoakam, under the direction of Benjamin McGovern, gives a riveting performance.

City Pages

Stephen Yoakams performance as the itinerant poet is spellbinding.

MinnPost

Previews begin October 1; Opening on Friday, October 4; Playing through Sunday, October 20

in the Dowling Studio at the Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS

(Minneapolis/St. Paul) The Guthrie Theater today announced a return engagement for An Iliad, the single-actor storytelling adaptation of Homers Greek classic about the siege of Troy. The play features Stephen Yoakam (more than 75 Guthrie productions including a lauded turn as Bertolt Brecht in 2012s Tales from Hollywood and as Creon in 2011s The Burial at Thebes) as The Poet and is directed by Benjamin McGovern (The Edge of Our Bodies, Circle Mirror Transformation). An Iliad is written by Lisa Peterson (director of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at the Guthrie in 2012, as well as this summers acclaimed production of Clybourne Park) and Denis OHare from a translation of Homer by Robert Fagles.

Yoakams Poet has told the story of the Greek siege of Troy for centuries, conjuring the heroes and battles for different cultures and eras. Now in the shadow of war in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, he unleashes the story's power for a modern audience. An Iliad premiered in 2010 and has since been praised by critics across the country. Twin Cities critics called the Guthrie production a tour de force, a powerful, resonant tale of war, and a visually arresting, sumptuously performed piece of theater that is intellectually and emotionally engaging, one that finds the connection between the classic and the contemporary.

The artistic team includes Michael Hoover (Set Designer), Christine A. Richardson (Costume Designer), Tom Mays (Lighting Designer), Greg Brosofske (Composer/Sound Designer), Carla Steen (Dramaturg), and Tree OHalloran (Stage Manager).

An Iliad begins preview performances on October 1, opens October 4 and continues through October 20 in the Dowling Studio at the Guthrie Theater. Single tickets start at $24 and are now on sale through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE, 612.225.6244 (Group Sales) and online at www.guthrietheater.org.

The GUTHRIE THEATER (Joe Dowling, Director) was founded by Sir Tyrone Guthrie in 1963 and is an American center for theater performance, production, education and professional training. The Tony Award-winning Guthrie Theater is dedicated to producing the great works of dramatic literature, developing the work of contemporary playwrights and cultivating the next generation of theater artists. With annual attendance of nearly 500,000 people, the Guthrie Theater presents a mix of classic plays and contemporary work on its three stages. Under the artistic leadership of Joe Dowling since 1995, the Guthrie continues to set a national standard for excellence in theatrical production and performance. In 2006, the Guthrie opened its new home on the banks of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, the Guthrie Theater houses three state-of-the-art stages, production facilities, classrooms and dramatic public lobbies. www.guthrietheater.org

FACT SHEET

AN ILIAD
adapted from Homer

by Lisa Peterson and Denis OHare

translation by Robert Fagles
directed by Benjamin McGovern

"Every time I sing this song, I hope it's the last time." So says The Poet as he digs deep to sing Homer's epic story of war, honor, violence and the Greek siege of the city of Troy. He's told this story for centuries, conjuring the heroes and battles for different cultures and eras. Now in the shadow of war in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, he unleashes the story's power for a modern audience. As The Poet recites, comments and chats, he compels his audience to connect with his story, to feel what he feels, to believe in the importance of this story. Maybe if he tells the story one more time, the violence will end.

Company: Stephen Yoakam (The Poet)

Creative Team: Benjamin McGovern (Director), Michael Hoover (Set Designer), Christine A. Richardson (Costume Designer), Tom Mays (Lighting Designer), Greg Brosofske (Composer/Sound Designer), Carla Steen (Dramaturg) and Tree OHalloran (Stage Manager).

Performance Dates: October 1 October 20, 2013

Opening Night: Friday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Performance Times: Tuesday through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.

Sundays at 7 p.m.

Matinees on selected Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m.

visit www.guthrietheater.org for the complete performance schedule

Location: Guthrie Theater Dowling Studio

818 South 2nd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415

Pricing: Single tickets priced $24-$39

(Discounts for children, students and seniors available)

Tickets: Tickets may be purchased online at www.guthrietheater.org

Guthrie Box Office: 612.377.2224 or 877.44.STAGE

Box Office hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on non- performance days)

Group Sales: 612.225.6244 or 877.225.6211

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