By Gwen Armstrong Barker
Who runs the world? Well…according to Beyonce, it’s girls. But the leadership of Athens may have something to say about that.
Britt Fauzer as Lysistrata and Steve Travers as The Magistrate.
To stop a never-ending war, one Athenian woman reaches out to representatives from each of the Greek city states to organize a sex strike. The mob of women then takes over the treasury, holding the war-chest hostage. Resisting their outraged men’s threats and overtures and their own vigorous urges, the women struggle to stand their ground and bring peace to Greece once more.
“Lysistrata” was written 20 years into the 27-year Peloponnesian war (431-404BCE) by Aristophanes; it’s a lighthearted but war-weary poke at the purposelessness and insanity of most war. Modern productions often attempt to press the feminist aspect, but the women’s complaints make it clear that they love their lives as pampered domestics and are simply anxious to have their husbands home so they can enjoy the more conjugal aspects of married life in a less hurried manner.
The Drama Group of Germantown continues their tradition of tackling classical pieces in “Lysistrata”. Bringing these important stories to an audience that’s relatively young compared to typical theatergoers is noble work indeed. Modernizing the setting to the sexual revolution of the 1970’s further drives the timelessness (though it saddens me that the subject of war and conflict between the sexes is so timeless). The setting also creates they opportunity for some dynamite costumes – particularly Lysistra’s and The Magistrate’s.
Francine Odri, Sam Fineman, Britt Fauzer, Kelci Schlierf and Adam Landon in “Lysistrata”.
Lysistrata (and really all Greek Comedy) is difficult to interpret for a modern audience. The comedy is very broad by today’s standards (think Punch and Judy puppet shows, or clown acts in circuses) and sprinkled with jokes that are specific to the time period. Director Taylor Roulliard does well with this tricky material and leads the cast to a playful, fun performance.
Understanding the language with confidence is critical to bringing any play to life and a particularly heavy lift with classical pieces, especially ones written in verse. Britt Fauzer (Lysistrata), Caity Brown (Calonice), Jeffrey Barg (Herald) Geremy Webne-Behrman (Cinesas) and Steve Travers (The Magistrate) were clearly comfortable with the language and able to bring their characters to life. Steve Travers particularly was having a wonderful time as the sleazy Magistrate. The remaining cast members (Francine Odri, Jael Brown, Kelci Schlierf, Sam Fineman, and Adam Landon) while less comfortable with the language, still appointed themselves nicely.
Geremy Webne-Behrman and Francine Odri in Lysistrata.
In short, this is a good production of a piece that is historically significant, thought-provoking and fun. It’s also not done very often, so I’d recommend catching it while you can.
If You Go:
The Drama Group of Germantown is performing Lysistrata at First United Methodist Church of Germantown, 6001 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144. Please Note: Parking for the show can be found on the side of the church off Germantown Ave. Signs will be posted.
“Lysistrata” continues Nov. 10-12, November 17-19. Friday and Saturday nights at 8 pm and Sunday afternoons at 3 pm. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at https://the-drama-group-of-germantown.ticketleap.com/lysistrata.