Children of Light at California Stage

Announcement from California Stage

Janis Stevens directs "Children of Light" by Rick Foster

"Children of Light" brings timeless conflicts of Greek tragedy to bear on the issues of today. Seven years ago, Princess Elektra’s father was murdered by her mother to avenge his sacrifice of their older daughter ---which the Gods demanded before they would let him go to fight the Trojan War.

Last year Elektra was thrown out of the palace and forcefully married to a Ditch Digger. She is half-crazy in her longing for revenge. She prays that her brother, Orestes, will return and kill their mother, along with the mother’s lover.

This is the background as presented by Euripides in his play called "The Elektra." Of all the writers in ancient Athens, Euripides was most sensitive to the suffering of women under brutal male rule. But even he could not imagine that Elektra might fight through the sickness of her condition to discover and follow a calling that was entirely out of bounds for a woman of that era.

"Children of Light" dramatizes the struggle of a young woman who was born to be a leader, who has a natural political genius, but who is stifled in every way by the culture she inherits. Think of such a woman today ruled by the Taliban, or a daughter of Osama bin Laden.

Janis Stevens, who directs, is coming off two huge hits at Capital Stage – least year’s "Fool for Love" and the recent "American Buffalo." A year ago her direction of Foster’s "Love, Isadora" at California Stage won her an Elly Award for Best Direction, Drama. She and Foster have teamed up numerous times over the years, most famously for their "Vivien," in which Stevens’ acting has won honors in San Francisco and New York and which was a sold-out hit at Sacramento Theatre Company in 2007-2008.

Stevens will also play the role of Klytemnestra, alternating with Mary Beth Barber.

"Children of Light" will be at California Stage, 2509 R Street (25th and R), in midtown Sacramento from May 15 to June 14, Fridays/Saturdays 8 pm, Sundays 2 pm. Get reservations at 916-451-5822 or seeaplay.com. Regular admission: $20. Students, Seniors, SARTA: $15. Groups of 6 or more: $12.

CAST
The Ditch Digger………………….…....Eric Baldwin
Achillea............................................ ….Lauren Nardozzi
Daphne……………………………….…Acacia Fisher
Irene.................................................................... Sara Sells
Elektra....................................... Brittaleigha Baskerville
Orestes....................................................... Jammy Bulaya
Pylades.......................................................... Eric Baldwin
Klytemnestra.............. Janis Stevens/Mary Beth Barber