“The Odyssey” made a big splash in theaters this summer, but it’s not the only classic Greek tale to enjoy this year. Get ready to laugh with the students at Cal State Bakersfield with Aristophanes’ comedy “The Frogs.”
Director David Melendez points out that playwrights like Aristophanes, who wrote this comedy, could comment on society while also appealing to the masses.
“Old comedy is like biting satire, aimed at political figures and celebrities. And there is lots of crude humor, like poop jokes and fart jokes.”
“The Frogs” is one of the last shows in this old comedy style before bigger events led to the evolution of entertainment.
“It’s really after the end of the Peloponnesian War, when the government of Athens totally changes. There’s a lot more censorship, and so the comedy becomes a lot more tame, and starts to become more like what we recognize now as a sitcom, like ‘Friends’ or that kind of thing where it’s funny situations happening.”
Set decades into the Peloponnesian War when Athens is under siege, the play centers on Dionysus (Aydan Starman), who, as the god of theater, is fed up with the current state of the medium.
He enlists his trusty slave Xanthias (Jose G. Cruz Jr.) to travel to the Underworld and bring back the recently deceased and acclaimed theatre rebel Euripides (Katrina Hepburn).
Dionysus, aided by advice from his brother Heracles (also Hepburn), sets off, causing commotion including interrupting a funeral.
Melendez was able to add something special to the production in this scene by including
Seikilos epitaph, which is considered the oldest complete musical composition in existence. The song of mourning, written by a man about his wife who died, is sung in both Greek and in English.
Melendez said, “There’s something really beautiful about that, you know. I don’t know the guy’s name, or much about him, but we just know that he was offering this prayer over her, his dead wife, which is kind of tragic and beautiful. And it’s a pretty song.”
And, of course, Dionysus finds himself subjected to insults from the titular frogs, an annoying gang of amphibians played by an assortment of performers: Madeline Ho, Abby Reza, Ashley Acuña, Jesus Aguilera, Ivan Juarez, Kaili Armada, Ollie Siggens and Sabrina Ung.
He also stages a contest between Euripides and fellow renowned poet Aeschylus (played by Cruz Jr.).
The show can be enjoyed as it is, but Melendez said he has a team of dramaturges working on supplementary material for those who are curious.
“Attendees can scan the QR code, and there’s a packet of different research materials in the play that will help them understand the play at whatever depth they would like.”
The show will play at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday with a matinee at 2 p.m. Sunday at the theater on campus, 9001 Stockdale Highway.
Admission is $12, $10 for seniors (60 and older), CSUB faculty and staff, $7 for students.
Tickets will be available at the box office or in advance at csubmusictheatre.eventbrite.com.
Stefani Dias can be reached at 661-395-7488. Follow her on Twitter at @realstefanidias.