LMC presents For the Love of the Nightingale
Wertenbacher play runs April 17-21

By Frank Ruggiero

A modern retelling of a Greek tragedy is coming to Lees-McRae April 17-21, with the premiere of For the Love of the Nightingale.

Directed by associate professor of performing arts Dr. Tessa Carr, For the Love of the Nightingale, written by Timberlake Wertenbacher, revisits the Greek myth of Athenian sisters Philomele and Procne.

When Procne marries a military commander from a distant land, both sisters are separated. After a series of subsequent events, Philomele is violently silenced, both physically and mentally, both carried out in the name of love.

Meanwhile, onlookers of the tragedy serve as a Greek chorus throughout the production, recording the events, but not interfering.

Though based on Greek tragedy, the play is not specifically set in ancient Greece, Carr explained, though there are several incongruous references.

“(Wertenbacher) wanted it to be about modern events, so for her, it’s about countries silencing other countries about war,” Carr said. “We’re looking at it like that, and also how women tend to be violated and silenced through war.”

Carr selected the play for Lees-McRae production after learning that Layli Miller-Muro, founder of the Tahiri Justice Center, would be speaking at the college. The center, located in Washington, D.C., offers legal aid for immigrant women escaping domestic violence, as well as women fleeing systematic violence, such as genital mutilation.

Wertenbacher’s play touches on similar themes, while also showing what happens when others merely stand by and observe.

“So, for me, it resonated on lots of different levels, while also allowing students to do a classical type piece,” Carr said.

The design concept is simple, but blends both modern and ancient aesthetics through set pieces and costumes, also designed by LMC students.

Carr noted that the play is intended for mature audiences, likening it to a PG-13 movie rating, as it contains violence and an off-stage rape scene.

For the Love of the Nightingale stars Ashleigh Contouris as Philomele, Mason Weaver as Tereus, John Lynne as Itys, Caitie Moss as Niobe, Laurel Wilde as Procne, Hether Leupold as Aphrodite/June, Bruce Bradberry as King Pandion, Cat Langston as Queen/Hero, Brandy Mosier as Iris/Nurse, Tonya Patterson as Servent/Phadra/Helen, Emily Ramos as Echo/Chorus, Michael Rogers as Soldier/Chorus, Jake Sheffer as Soldier/Theseus, James Shimo as Hippolytus/Captain/Soldier, and John Warrick as Chorus.

The production team includes Carr as director, Dr. Michael Hannah as costume designer, Chris Carr as set designer, Danielle Curtis as lighting designer, and Jason Pickering as sound designer.

For the Love of the Nightingale opens Friday, April 17, at 7:30 p.m. at LMC’s Hayes Auditorium, located in Banner Elk. The play runs through Tuesday, April 21, with daily shows at 7:30 p.m., except for Sunday, April 19, at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at the door.

For more information, visit www.go.lmc.edu/performances, call (828) 898-8709, or email baisdend@lmc.edu.

One-Acts in May

Hayes Auditorium will feature one-act plays directed by Lees-McRae students from May 1-3.

The series features Stephen Redmon directing Power Lunch, Brittney Fischer directing Beautified, Kasey McKitterick directing Bachelor Holiday, Bruce Bradberry directing I Never Saw Another Butterfly, and Mason Weaver directing Sorry Wrong Number.