Euripides' Iphigenia in Aulis to Be the 2017 Outdoor Theater Production at the Getty Villa

Tickets go on sale July 1, 2017

Jun 29, 2017

Social Sharing

Body Content

This September, the Getty Museum and Chicago-based Court Theatre present Euripides’ Iphigenia in Aulis, the twelfth annual outdoor theatrical production in the Barbara and Lawrence Fleischman Theater at the Getty Villa.

Directed by Charles Newell, artistic director of Court Theatre, and translated by Nicholas Rudall, founding artistic director of Court Theatre, Iphigenia in Aulis was first presented in 2014 at Court Theatre in Chicago and will be reimagined for the Getty’s production.

In Euripides’ ancient tale of power and sacrifice, the Greek army lies stagnant on the shores of Aulis and King Agamemnon is faced with a heart-wrenching decision. In return for the winds that would carry his army to victory over Troy, the goddess Artemis has demanded the unthinkable: the sacrifice of the king’s own daughter, Iphigenia.

Director Charles Newell says, “In 2014, Court Theatre celebrated its 60th anniversary by beginning a journey through the house of Atreus. Our Greek cycle began with Iphigenia in Aulis and marked the return of founding artistic director Nicholas Rudall to our theater. We are honored to have been selected by the Getty Villa to bring this production to Southern California. With our commitment to the classics, it is a remarkable moment of achievement for Court Theatre and the University of Chicago.”

The Getty Villa’s annual outdoor theater production is part of an innovative year-round theater program that enhances visitors’ experience of the ancient world. Live performances of classical drama offer insight into the social, cultural, and political realities of life in Ancient Greece and Rome. In the galleries, the works of art deepen the connection between modern audiences and the mythical stories underlying the tragedies and comedies on stage.

“Theater was a fundamental part of religious and social life in the ancient world, and as the Villa’s theater program shows, classical drama still resonates powerfully with contemporary playwrights, actors, and audiences,” says Jeffrey Spier, senior curator of antiquities at the J. Paul Getty Museum.

Performances will be held Thursdays through Saturdays, September 7–30, 2017, at 8:00pm, with preview performances August 31–September 2. Tickets for Thursday night performances are $40 ($36 for students and seniors), Friday night performances are $42, and Saturday night performances are $45. Student and senior discounts are available for Thursday night performances only. Ticket prices for the previews are $25. Tickets go on sale July 1, 2017, and will be available at (310) 440–7300.

Prior to each evening’s performance, the Museum will open at 6:00pm for theater-goers to enjoy the galleries and gardens. Special dining options will be offered before each performance, including the Nectar of the Gods Sunset Celebration reception on Thursday evenings and a three-course prix fixe dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings.

About Court Theatre

Established in 1955, Court Theatre is guided by its mission to discover the power of classic theater. Court endeavors to make a lasting contribution to American theater by expanding the canon of translations, adaptations, and classic texts. Court revives lost masterpieces, illuminates familiar texts, and distinguishes fresh, modern classics. It engages and inspires its audience by providing artistically distinguished productions, audience enrichment activities, and student educational experiences.

Court Theatre is the professional theatre in residence at the University of Chicago, continuing to discover the power of classic theater. It operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity Association, and the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Productions are made possible in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and by a City Arts grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs. Court Theatre is a constituent of Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for the American Theatre; the League of Resident Theatres; the Illinois Humanities Council; the Arts Alliance Illinois; the League of Chicago Theatres; and Hyde Park Cultural Alliance.

Nicholas Rudall (Translator) is the Founding Artistic Director of Court Theatre, leading Court from 1971 to 1994. He led the growth of Court from a community theatre to a leading professional Equity theatre. In addition to his achievements as an actor and director, Rudall is a Professor Emeritus in Classics at the University of Chicago, where he taught for more than forty years. His translations for the theater—known for their stage-friendly language and “playability”—are myriad and span many languages, but he is best known for his translations of Ancient Greek tragedy. Beginning with this production of Iphigenia in Aulis by Euripides, Court has produced three translations by Rudall over three years, including a world premiere translation of Aeschylus’ Agamemnon in 2015 and concluding with Sophocles’ Electra in 2016.

Charles Newell (Artistic Director/Director) was awarded the 2013 SDCF Zelda Fichandler Award, “which recognizes an outstanding director or choreographer who is transforming the regional arts landscape through singular creativity and artistry in theater.” Charlie has been the Artistic Director of Court Theatre since 1994, where he has directed more than 50 productions. He made his Chicago directorial debut in 1993 with The Triumph Of Love, which won the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Production. Charlie’s productions of Man of La Mancha and Caroline, Or Change have also won Best Production Jeffs. Other directorial highlights at Court include The Misanthrope, Tartuffe, Proof, Angels In America, An Iliad, Porgy & Bess, Three Tall Women, Titus Andronicus, Arcadia, Uncle Vanya, Raisin, The Glass Menagerie, Travesties, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, The Invention of Love, and Hamlet.

Charlie has also directed at Goodman Theatre (Rock ’N Roll), Guthrie Theater (The History Cycle, Cymbeline), Arena Stage, John Houseman’s The Acting Company (Staff Repertory Director), the California and Alabama Shakespeare Festivals, Juilliard, and New York University. He has served on the Board of TCG, as well as on several panels for the NEA. Opera directing credits include Marc Blitzstein’s Regina (Lyric Opera of Chicago), Rigoletto (Opera Theatre of St. Louis), Don Giovanni and The Jewel Box (Chicago Opera Theatre), and Carousel (Summer 2014, Glimmerglass Festival). Charlie was the recipient of the 1992 TCG Alan Schneider Director Award, and has been nominated for 16 Joseph Jefferson Director Awards, winning four times. In 2012, Charlie was honored by The League of Chicago Theatres with their Artistic Achievement Award.

Back to Top

Resources for Journalists

Press Contacts