EURYDICE
By Sarah Ruhl
Directed by Megan Schy Gleeson
Spring 2024 Information Sheet
About the Production
Sarah Ruhl’s Eurydice is a beautifully poetic play about love, longing, loss and letting go. The use of language – and absence of language – defies space and time to evoke a surreal, visceral, dream-like world where anything can and does happen. Loosely based off of the ancient Greek myth Orpheus & Eurydice, this retelling is a modern update and from Eurydice’s perspective.
We find Eurydice and Orpheus set to marry and entwine their lives forever when tragedy hits and Eurydice is thrust into the Underworld. There, she meets her recently deceased Father and several guards of the Underworld, the Stones. Eurydice is torn between the life she had with her living husband and her relationship with her now dead Father. Filled with humor, celebrating the power of memory, The New York Times described this play as “Rhapsodically beautiful. A weird and wonderful new play – an inexpressibly moving theatrical fable…”
Rehearsals and performances of the Worcester State Theatre production will include movement work. No experience in movement is necessary, just a willingness to move! All are welcome!
Auditions
Fuller Theater, 2nd floor Administration
Mon. Jan. 22 6pm – Open call
Tues. Jan. 23 6pm – Open call
Wed. Jan. 24 – Callbacks
Rehearsals
+Mon/Tues/Wed 6-9pm beginning February 5; week of 2/19, we’ll have rehearsal Tues-Thurs due to Presidents’ Day
+Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs 6-9pm beginning February 26
Note: Rehearsals will be held Sunday March 24 and Saturday, March 30 and on Sat/Sun April 6-7, 10:30am 4:30pm. We will not be meeting during the weekdays of March 25-28 and April 1-4.
+Mon-Thurs rehearsals pick up again April 8
+Designer/Crew run: Friday, April 12 – Call time TBD
+Technical rehearsals: TBD
+Dress rehearsals: Mon/Tue/Wed April 22-24 – Call time TBD
Performances
Thu/Fri/Sat April 25-27 @ 7:30 – Call time TBD
Sun, April 28 @ 2:00pm
Strike
Following the April 28 performance, all cast and crew will stay for strike.
Sides (portions of the script to use for auditions)
Sides will be available in the following locations:
L-325, VPA offices (3rd floor Library)
A-368, Theatre Design Studio (3rd floor Administration)
Notes
Actors will agree to play as cast.
Once cast, actors will agree to not cut or dye hair, get new tattoos or piercings without consulting with the costume designer and director. (You may be asked to wait until the show is over.) Personal accessories, including glasses, will be worn at the discretion of the costume designer and director.
CHARACTERS:
EURYDICE (played as female) – curious and a determined seeker; loves stories, words, books, her father and Orpheus. Her father just recently died. As per Sarah Ruhl, Eurydice and Orpheus “should be played as though they are a little too young and a little too in love…should resist the temptation to be classical.” Must be comfortable moving, and singing badly. Think Alice from Alice in Wonderland.
HER FATHER (played as male) – has just died and is a resident of the Underworld. He cares deeply for Eurydice; is gentle, kindly and very patient. Must be comfortable moving, and singing badly.
ORPHEUS (played as male) – Idealistic and fiercely committed to what he sets his mind to. Known as a brilliant musician and “thinks” in music, as opposed to in words. Passionately loves music and Eurydice. Can play the guitar (or willing to learn a few chords), and can carry a rhythm; must be comfortable moving.
THE NASTY INTERESTING MAN / THE LORD OF THE UNDERWORLD (played as male) – Nasty is representative of the “snake” from the original myth…slimy, aggressive yet enchanting and seductive at the same time. The Lord of the Underworld is a petulant, pushy child. Both lust after Eurydice. Traditionally this has been cast as a two-in-one role, though it is open for consideration to cast differently for our production. Think the Mad Hatter meets the Caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland.
A CHORUS OF STONES:
About the Stones as per Sarah Ruhl “The stones might be played as though they are nasty children at a birthday party.” All need to be comfortable moving. Below are a few possible qualities to explore for these characters. In keeping with Sarah Ruhl’s idea of Alice in Wonderland as Underworld, think the Mad Hatter’s tea party.
BIG STONE (any gender) – rough, clumsy, uncensored and fearless
LITTLE STONE (any gender) – smooth, sentimental and sensitive
LOUD STONE (any gender) – sharp, the one who corrects, controls and domineers
