Lysistrata

Our original adaptation of Lysistrata opens this Friday in the New York International Fringe Festival. We’re performing it al Fresco, that is to say outdoors, in a park, and it’s FREE!

As a special sneak peek at our adaptation (written by Ryan Emmons and Julie Congress), why don’t you meet the characters of Lysistrata.

LYSISTRATA – The lady with the plan. ALWAYS SPEAKS THROUGH A MEGAPHONE. Grade A monologist. Quotes a lot. Played by the incomparable comedic actress, Jackie Byrne.

THE COMMISSIONER – The head-honcho of the Athenian Army. A mixer of metaphors, with the occasional splash of a similie. He’s trying to put a stop to Lysistrata and her coupon-cutting curs! Played by William Popp, tall as a tower and with more gravitas than Sir Isaac Newton.

KLONDIKE – Lysistrata’s second in command. She is one cool cucumber - mmmhmmm, honey! Always equipped with a one-liner, she is played with sass and class by Sara Kliger.

SOCRAPLATRISTMENIDEURIPPHANES – A reluctant soldier with the heart and soul of a dozen philosophers. Why did the Gods put him on earth? Do the Gods even exist? Why does he keep having so many existentialist breakdowns? Why is Sam Parrott so incredibly good at being so lost and confused?!

MARINE – Either the spaciest, dittziest woman to every live or the cleverest, most cunning. Which is she? We may never know! Played with mysterious vacancy by the inestimable Marie Roussel.

KINESIAS – Marine’s sweet and simple husband. This soldier has come a long way to see his wife. If only she would stop finding more bedding in the Acropolis - it’s making him very feta up! Brought to life by the loveable Andrew Van Buskirk.

BAKLAVA – Athens’ very own flower child. Psychedelic Haley Greenstein will have your hands clapping, your hair growing, and the Ouzo flowing.

AKILLTHESE – A brave, brawling Athenian warrior. Perhaps the only thing that can stop him is a multi-syllabic word. Roger Mulligan’s raw, masculine energy will leave you growling in your seats.

LAMPITO – “Climb would she Taygetus tip-top to the up mountain ending if meant it the war” (Translation: She would climb to the tip-top of Taygetus Mountain if it meant ending the war.) Lampito is a terrifying Spartan woman who looks like she could strangle a bull. Rachael Richman’s intense, animalistic energy will have you thanking the Gods you weren’t born a bovine.

HERALD HAROLD – Lampito’s down-trodden countryman. Has a great knack for walking into trouble. They may say not to shoot the messenger, but what about heralds? Played with adorable timidity by Alex Roan.

BOIOTIA – A mysterious, brooding foreigner. Watch as she does her Dance of the Seven Veils! Watch as she speaks entirely in words beginning with the letter ‘B’. Sarah Congress IS Boiotia!

THE TROJAN – A! Soldier! Speaks! Only! One! Word! At! A! Time?!?! Rides! A! Toy! Horse!?!?! Yay!!!!! Brandon!!!!! O’Sullivan!!!!!!!! Yay!!!!

CORINTHIA – An exotic trombone player who’ll wet your whistle. This brassy babe speaks only in alliteration. Rebecca Greenstein will have you signing up for music lessons.

Written by Julie Congress