Contributed photo
Contributed photo
The West Side Show Room has reopened after COVID and there is water covering the stage floor. This is not due to a burst pipe or a hole in the ceiling, it’s a planned part of their new play “Eurydice” written by Illinois playwright Sarah Ruhl.
In a twist on the classic Greek myth of Orpheus, Ruhl casts Orpheus’ wife, Eurydice (pronounced “you RID is SEE”), as the heroine of the story. Eurydice embarks on an epic adventure into the underworld where she reunites with her father, meets the child-like god, Hades, and must avoid being dipped in the river of forgetfulness.
To bring the river to life Set Designer, Lenae Weichel, placed a custom-fitted pond liner across the stage and filled it with two inches of water. “Our goal was for the water to be just deep enough that it would create reflections of the actors and set,” said Weichel. “The characters who are more closely connected to the world of the living use stepping stones to avoid touching the water and losing their memories.”
Director Mike Werckle believes having water on stage is a first for a community theater in the Rockford area. “Water is such an important part of ‘Eurydice’ we decided from the very beginning to figure out a way to make it work,” Werckle said. “Although I admit I was very nervous the first time we filled it, it has been water-tight and the reflections look absolutely gorgeous.”
Eurydice is The West Side Show Room’s first play after closing due to COVID-19. Werckle says they are reopening with the same safety protocols that are currently being used by Broadway theaters. “Audience members must wear masks and present proof of vaccination or a negative test at the door,” Werckle said. “With these measures in place the public can feel safe returning to The West Side Show Room and start seeing live theater again.”
Performances continue September 29 through October 17, 2021 at The West Side Show Room, 1414 N Main St. in Rockford. Tickets are $20 and free on Fridays as part of WSSR’s Free Fridays program. To reserve tickets please visit wssr.org.
John Chase as Father, Maya Hopkins as Eurydice
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Sierra Goddard as Loud Stone, John Chase as Father, Marcus Tobias as Big Stone, Katherine Ziemann as Little Stone
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Maya Hopkins as Eurydice, Eduardo Galaviz as A Nasty Interesting Man
For press inquiries or to arrange a tour or cast interviews, please contact Mike Werckle at mike@wssr.org
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