A Classic Theatre: Lysistrata

As part of the Romanza Festivale of Music and the Arts, A Classic Theatre will present Lysistrata, one of the best-known and bawdiest of the classical Greek comedies. Aristophanes wrote Lysistrata in 411 B.C, but the topics and tone of the play are surprisingly modern.

It's the story of an effort by Greek women to force their men to stop fighting a long war by withholding sexual favors from them. Lysistrata is the Athenian woman who spearheads the campaign, soliciting help from women in other Greek city-states, including Sparta, which is the city the Athenians are fighting in this interminable Peloponnesian War. Lysistrata's name actually means  "army disbander," and she fulfills her role with spirit and determination.

This version of Lysistrata has local connections. Professor Emeritus Constantine Santas of St. Augustine's Flagler College edited this version, which was originally translated by his aunt Valentina Santas.

The production will be directed in the style of a "staged reading" by Harolyn Sharpe. The cast includes Meredith Wolfe as Lysistrata and Julie Grayauskie, Teresa Harris, Evelyn Lynam, Katie Timoney, Murrell Weissinger, and Kathryn Masters as the women who have joined in her campaign. The men of Athens and Sparta are portrayed by Jon Beshara, Jim Cadigan, John Grayauskie, Jon Sabino, Bill White, and Jim Wells.

Admission: $20 for adults. Visit here for more information and to purchase tickets.

When: 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, May 11 and 12, and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 13, 2018.

Where: The Gamache-Koger Theatre at Flagler College's Ringhaver Student Center is located at 50 Sevilla St. in downtown St. Augustine, Florida.

For more information on the featured events of the ten days of the 2018 Romanza Festivale, visit here. To learn more about Romanza, its history, sponsors, organizers and full schedule details, visit the Romanza website here.