Seattle Shakespeare Company presents

Electra

January 7-31, 2010 at the Center House Theatre

SEATTLE - Does the judicial system delay the primal need for catharsis that humans crave? Is "eye for an eye" revenge ever justified? Does justice truly lead to peace?

This January Seattle Shakespeare Company stages Electra, Sophocles' story of family vengeance longed for, sought after, and found through bloodshed. Adapted by Frank McGuinness, Electra will be staged by director Sheila Daniels. Electra begins previews on Thursday, January 7 and opens Friday, January 8 at the Center House Theatre. Electra will run through January 31, 2010.

Support for Seattle Shakespeare Company's production of Electra is provided by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and KUOW.

Treachery and murder line the corridors where Electra mourns the brutal murder of her father by her adulterous mother, Clytemnestra. Grief-stricken and bent on retribution, Electra awaits her brother Orestes' return in order to enact her fervent quest for personal justice. His arrival sets in motion swift and bloody retribution. [Please note, all killings happen offstage in true Greek fashion, but there will be graphic evidence of the bloody deeds on stage].

"The litany of the dead within this play is profound," says Electra director Sheila Daniels. "The after effects of violence and the Trojan War are living within this family. The sorrow held by Electra after her father's murder drives her to believe that if she can achieve this one act of retribution, then she will be able to find peace. But in a world fueled by revenge, what is justice?"

Frank McGuinness' adaptation of Electra played to great acclaim on Broadway in 1998. His plays include Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme, Someone Who'll Watch Over Me, and widely performed versions of Oedipus, The Three Sisters, Hedda Gabler, A Doll's House, Miss Julie, and others. His new adaptation of Euripides' Helen recently premiered at the Globe Theatre in London.

The cast of Electra features John Bogar (Aegisthus), Ellen Boyle (Clytemnestra), Susanna Burney (Chorus), Marya Sea Kaminski (Electra), Darragh Kennan (Orestes), Susannah Millonzi (Chrysothemis), Todd Jefferson Moore (Servant), Tim Smith-Stewart (Pylades), Ellen Elizabeth Steves (Chorus) and Jessie Underhill (Chorus).

Set design for Electra is by Andrea Bush, with costume design by Pete Rush, lighting design by Andrew D. Smith, with sound design by Robertson Witmer.

Performances of Electra are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 2:00 pm (January 16 & 23) and Sundays at 2:00 pm.

Special "Shakespeariences" will be offered in conjunction with Electra including: "Jumpstart into Electra" a facilitated introduction to the play (January 14 at 6PM - $10) and post play discussions on selected performances.

Tickets to performances of Electra are now on sale and range from $30-$36 for adults and $22-$25 for seniors and students. Pay-What-You-Will previews are on January 5 and 6 at 7:30 PM. Discounted tickets are available for groups of ten or more.

For ticket reservations, call the Seattle Shakespeare Company box office (206) 733-8222 or go online at www.seattleshakespeare.org. Regular box office hours are Tuesday through Friday 1:00-6:00 PM. During performance weeks, in addition to regular hours, the box office opens Saturdays 1:00-6:00 PM and Sundays 12noon to 4:00 PM. Seattle Shakespeare Company performs at the Center House Theatre at Seattle Center.