THREE PERFORMANCES ADDED:
LAUDED STORYTELLING EXPERIENCE FEATURING POWERHOUSE STEPHEN YOAKAM

AN ILIAD

NOW THROUGH JUNE 1 IN THE DOWLING STUDIO

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

But it's also 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

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(Minneapolis/St. Paul) The Guthrie Theater today announced three additional performances added to the lauded run of An Iliad, the single-actor storytelling adaptation of Homers Greek classic about the siege of Troy, featuring Stephen Yoakam as The Poet and 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 the upcoming production of Clybourne Park opening in June) and Denis OHare from a translation of Homer by Robert Fagles. An Iliad, originally slated to run through May 26, will now run through June 1 with 7:30 performances added Thursday through Saturday, May 30 through June 1, in the Guthries Dowling Studio.

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 been praised by critics across the country, including The New York Times this spring: "Mr. O'Hare and Ms. Peterson have telescoped the mighty expanses of Homer's great poem into an evening that scales the conflict of the Trojan War down to an intimate solo show illuminating both the heroism and the horror of warfare."

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

Remaining An Iliad performances are Tuesday through Friday May 21-24 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday May 25 at 1:00 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday May 26 at 1:00 and 7:00 p.m.; and Thursday through Saturday May 30-June 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Dowling Studio at the Guthrie Theater. Single tickets start at $29 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 marks its 50^th season in 2012-2013, culminating in its weekend celebration on June 22 and 23, 2013. The festivities will begin on Saturday, June 22, with the Golden Soiree and Fête 50 dinner parties in the Guthries Mississippi riverfront home, followed by BEHOLD, a star-studded gala performance showcasing artists from the Guthries past and future. On Sunday, June 23, the Guthrie will open its doors for its Free Community Celebration Day, featuring free activities, backstage tours, classes, shows and events. For more information visit www.guthrietheater.org/50.

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

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