“Medea” was a one-night stunner demonstrating student talent and hard work.
The TU Theater Union in conjunction with the Honors College put on Friday a one-night-only showing of Eurypides’ “Medea,” a Greek tragedy first performed in 431 B.C. The play was originally part of a trilogy, with “Medea” being the middle show, but the other two have not survived. The basic plot of the play (spoilers ahead) centers on the actions of Medea, whose husband Jason leaves her for a different princess. Medea enacts revenge on Jason by, in a climax that is simultaneously shocking and slowly developed, killing her sons as well as Jason’s new wife. Massive amounts of fake blood and all, it was a perfect play for the week of Halloween.
It is certainly not easy for a group of college students to put on a timeless Greek tragedy, but their difficult undertaking was executed very well. The superhuman work the students did in preparation for the show was exceedingly clear, especially with director Jadyn Fording, who spoke at the beginning of the show. The production (Alexander Dupree), costumes (Luna Wolfe) and set design (Ava Boswell), as well as all other managing duties were performed exceptionally.
The set was simple yet meticulous, with columns and ivy indicative of an ancient palace. The costumes, too, drew the eye without being extravagant. The use of color and varied silhouettes developed an aesthetically creative and appealing show. Medea’s costume specifically, an embroidered black corset and matching black skirt, was a perfect representation of the dark femininity that is definitive of the role.
The actors demonstrated unbelievable talent. Kalainey Nickel was truly a star in her role as the titular character. With a powerful voice, fantastic stage presence, and a depth of acting talent that made the audience cling to her every word, Nickel excelled in a very difficult role (much of the play’s two-hour runtime consisted of Medea’s monologues). Dupree was very passionate and stage-commanding as Jason, skillfully capturing his complex character. The Choir was also exceptional. Each Choir performer stood out in their own right with heartfelt responses to Medea’s plot, but together the Choir truly shone with haunting, melodic asides to the audience.
Truly, each actor in the play was exceptional. Even those who had five minutes of stage time delivered their lines with an indescribable zeal. Eleanor Hong who played Medea’s nurse, for example, was the first actor on stage. She could have filled an entire two-hour program with the intensity and enthusiasm she presented in her first few minutes on stage. It was the excellence of the details and the execution that really made “Medea” such a success.
The palpable sense of community effort made the play all the more meaningful. The Honors College Dean Jennifer Frey along with President Carson gave opening remarks that expressed gratitude for the students’ efforts. The fact that the concert hall in LPC was completely packed, balcony and all, indicated the coming together facilitated by the show. It was clear that “Medea” was a tireless and collective effort between students, staff and campus organizations. It truly paid off in its beautiful display of classic art.
