Fossil Ridge High School’s fall play, “Metamorphoses,” by Mary Zimmerman will be performed at 7 p.m. the nights of Nov. 15 and 16, as well as Nov. 21 through 23. It’s a collection of Greek short stories that come together to convey the overarching message of the creation of the world and the concept of change. From a tale about Midas, the man with the golden touch, to a tragic love story of Eurydice and Orpheus, Metamorphoses covers many of the well-known Greek myths.
“Previously, the plays we do here at Fossil were classic. This year, though, it’s written in a modern style with modern references. We even have a pool!” junior James Orr said.
The play will be performed in Room 241, the ‘Black Box,’ this year instead of in the PAC. That way, the audience gets an up-close-and-personal feel. The audience is going to be arranged around the stage on sets of risers in the style of Greek theater, a stage design known as “theater in the round.”
The set, however, is not a mixture of furniture and flats. Built-up platforms will represent the godly realm, where the gods call down to the mortals. Walkways and stairs are the main sets and they surround another unique feature, the pool. Because logistical reasons, a real pool will not be used, however; a carbon dioxide fog machine will be in place to give the effect of a pool. The pool is a main symbol utilized throughout the play to represent transformation and change in the characters. A pianist will be featured to emphasize dramatic scenes and effect. There is also choreography to help the scenes flow.
“My favorite character I play is Vertumus because I get to dress up as a woman and creep out people,” Orr said. He plays the god of springtime who falls madly in love with a girl named Pomona. To woo her, he dresses up in different costumes hoping to catch her attention. Orr also will be playing many other gods such as Poseidon, the god of the sea, and Bacchus, the god of partying.
“I play the Therapist to Phaeton. He’s the son of Apollo who drove his father’s sun carriage into the ground. It’s my favorite because I’m so completely uncaring in the scene,” sophomore Libby Rose said. Both Orr and Rose said that the play this year is definitely going to be “something new and refreshing.”
Tickets are on sale at showtix4u.com; $10 for adults and $8 for students. There’s about 75 seats available per show.
