Pioneer Players presents a modern twist on the Ancient Greek classic, 'Antigone'

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Department of Performing and Visual Arts-Theatre and Pioneer Players will continue the 2024-25 season with Jean Anouilh's adaptation of Sophocles's classic, "Antigone." Performances are Nov. 20-23 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 24 at 2 p.m. in the Center for the Arts Theatre. The performance on Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m. is also the Benefit Wednesday show. All tickets for Benefit Wednesday are $7, and the proceeds go to the Platteville Food Pantry and Pioneer Provisions, a free pantry/grocery service on campus which all currently enrolled students experiencing food insecurity are eligible to utilize.

Anouilh's "Antigone" was first performed in Paris on Feb. 6, 1944, during the Nazi occupation, produced under Nazi censorship. According to Dr. Ann Dillon Farrelly, professor of theatre and director, "While Sophocles's original play dates back to the fifth Century BCE, Anouilh found, as we have found, there are many parallels between Antigone's righteous cause and current events. Whether it be 1944 or 2024, Antigone remains a cautionary tale about the dangers of tyranny."

The cast includes Olivia Laughlin as Antigone, Monardo Faria as Creon, El Dalbey and Jamie Wodack as the Chorus, Madison DeLashmutt as Ismene, Bradey Burbach as Haemon, Taryn Dolan as the First Guard, Elijah Fuchs as the Second Guard, Ethan Gallo as the Third Guard, Maddy Gloss as the Page/Messenger, and Victoria Logan as Eurydice.

Joining Farrelly on the production team are professor of theatre and resident designer, Jeffrey Strange, as the scenic and lighting designer, senior lecturer and costume director, Sarah Strange, as costume designer, student stage manager, Jess Kott, and student dramaturg, Isabelle Emerson.

"Jeffrey's brilliant design has completely transformed the theatre space for this production, and it is very exciting to tell this story in this environment. It is different from anything we've done before," said Farrelly. "The story of Antigone is always relevant. It is important for us to be reminded how to stand up for what is right even in the face of impossible odds."

The show runs about 80 minutes with no intermission. Tickets for the production are $15 for general admission and $7 for students (price includes $2 box office transaction fee). For tickets, contact the University Box Office at 608-342-1298 or buy them online at tickets.uwplatt.edu.