PRESS CONTACT: Brian Dean
t: 703-217-9007 | e: ScenaMedia@gmail.com
Scena Theatre presents an epic theatrical event: a modern reimagining of the Greek tragedy AJAX AJAX at The ATLAS on H St. NE from Jan. 17 to Feb. 9th
Washington, DC, December 15, 2024 — The Directors of Scena Theatre continue their 37th Season in DC with a powerful classical drama, AJAX by Greece's legendary writer and philosopher, Sophocles. This dynamic drama from the 5th Century A.D. is modernized and reset in the Middle East of today with powerful commentary on the never-ending US war experience overseas.
Press Night / Opening Night: is on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 7:30 pm at the ATLAS Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002. To reserve your Press Seat, or to request an alternate show, please RSVP now to ScenaMedia@gmail.com
John John Tipton's acclaimed translation of "Ajax" examines the plight of today's US soldier with raw vitality and compassion. America's conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan are examined with powerful insight and surprising revelations in this compelling drama. We delve deeply into the honors, and horrors, of war—including the ongoing effects of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD).
Ancient Greece and its Trojan War has themes and lessons that are hauntingly similar to that of the modern United States. Each society has their share of political turmoil, ongoing war campaigns and battle-weary soldiers who suffer from severe emotional distress. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were devastating to civilians and soldiers alike and draining to the US government. Currently, wars in Ukraine, the Gaza Strip and the attacks in the Red Sea may very well escalate the planet into World War III. Scena portrays the harsh realities of war with a close look at the ultimate toll on our soldiers as well as the lessons humans fail to learn after thousands of years of conflict.
Artistic Director Robert McNamara is excited to stage another Greek classic — modernized with relevance for today's theatergoer. "Tipton's script is poignant with bold themes. AJAX the character embodies so many of the qualities and traits that are relatable to today's service members.
This play is tailor-made for audiences in the DC region. It provokes deep political thought on the necessity of war as well as the evils of war. It calls into question how we treat our soldiers and sailors as well as the expansive role of the military industrial complex.
Scena Theatre has a rich history of staging bold, classical theatre by legendary European writers. Recently, Scena has presented Julius Caesar with Caesar portrayed as a DC gangster. Past productions include The Euripides Trilogy: Elektra, Orestes, and Iphigenia in Tauris. The later two were produced in rep featured notable Greek actress Ioanna Gavakou and garnered wide critical acclaim. Scena also produced a classic version of The Persians by Aeschylus. Further, Scena's 1997 staging of Euripides' powerful anti-war tragedy, Women of Troy, was set in a rape camp in Bosnia and was widely hailed as one of the year's "Top Ten" by "Washington City Paper".
AJAX Previews: Friday, January 17, 7:30 pm Saturday, January 18, 7:30 pm Sunday January 19, 2:30 pm Wednesday January 22, 7:30 pm PRESS NIGHT / OPENING: Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 7:30 pm AJAX Performances: January 24 – February 9, 2025 (Thursday - Saturday 7:30 pm | Sunday Matinees 2:30 pm)
Tickets: AtlasArts.org/ajax Prices: Adults: $45 Military, Veterans & Seniors w/ ID: $30 Students: $25 Venue: ATLAS Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002 Box Office ?s: Call 202-399-7993 (OR) email boxoffice@atlasarts.org
Show + "Veterans & PTSD Talkback": Sunday, February 2, 2025 after the 2:30 pm matinee Industry Night: Monday, February 3, 2025 at 7:30 pm Press: ScenaMedia@gmail.com | Phone: 703-217-9007 Photos: ScenaTheatre.org (Click on Press, at Left Sidebar — Available February 22) CAST: ATHENA: Ellie Nicoll ODYSSEUS: Ian Blackwell Rogers AJAX: Oscar Ceville CHORUS: David Johnson & Jack Elmendorf TBA TECMESSA: Fran Tapia MESSENGER & TEUCER: ELI EL MENELAUS: Kim Curtis AGAMEMNON: Robert McNamara EURYSACES: Ellie Nicoll Designers Director: Robert McNamara; Scenic Designer: Michael C. Stepowany; Lighting Designer: Marianne Meadows; Costume Designer: Mei Chen; Sound Designer: Denise Rose; Projections Designer: Sean Preston; Stage Manager: Samba Pathek; Assistant Director: Anne Nottage Sophocles (playwright) (born c. 496 BC in Colonus, near Athens, Greece — died 406 BC, Athens) was one of the three great tragic playwrights of ancient Greece alongside Aeschylus and Euripides. The best known of Sophocles' 123 dramas is Oedipus the King. He wrote the Greek tragedy Ajax (or Aias), in the 5th century BC. It is one of Sophocles’ earliest surviving tragedies and is set in the 10th year of the Trojan War, soon after the death of the great warrior Achilles. This play chronicles the fate of the warrior Ajax after the events of The Iliad, but before the end of the Trojan War. Ajax is portrayed as a great hero, but he is rigidly defined as an old-fashioned one, proud and uncompromising while unable to recognize his own weaknesses and limitations.
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Scena Theatre brings the best international theatre to Washington, DC and stimulates cultural exchange between theatre artists, locally and worldwide. Founded in 1987 under the leadership of Artistic Director Robert McNamara and Managing Director Amy Schmidt, SCENA produces an annual season of plays, seasonally staged readings, as well as a Workshop Series aimed at developing new works from around the globe. To learn more about our mission or past stage productions, please visit ScenaTheatre.org— and click on the “About” button on the left navigation menu.