Karen Fox as Athena
Photo by TheBlight.net |
The saga of Odysseus takes place on an enormous 58 foot wide stage, complete with a thousand-gallon “sea,” a colossal Rube Goldberg style system of stairs, ramps and chutes, and four gigantic Greek gods, personified as 35-foot-tall welded sculptures by Dan Das Mann and Karen Cusolito, which interact with the human performers. Recreating the elements of water, wind, fire, steam and light required a massive production crew, and included members from the Oakland Fire Department, Kinetic Steam Works.
The Odyssey tells the story of the Greek hero Odysseus and his long journey home following the fall of Troy. It takes Odysseus ten years to reach Ithaca after the Trojan War, and during this absence his son Telemachus and wife Penelope must deal with a group of unruly suitors who have moved into Odysseus' home to compete for Penelope's hand in marriage, since most have assumed that Odysseus has died. Odysseus and his crew are both protected and besieged by the gods throughout their voyage. Athena, goddess of wisdom and fire, protects them, but Poseidon, god of the sea, sends a storm to put them off course and into a confrontation with his son, the Cyclops (played by Jonathan Youtt in an 11-foot tall puppet suit). Aeolus, god of the wind, assists Odysseus by giving him the gift of the wind, but his crew squanders the gift and they become entranced by the witch-goddess Circe until Hermes, messenger of the gods (portrayed by aerialist Benn Mendoza), provides a potion that frees Odysseus from her spell. The travelers continue on their journey, narrowly escaping the underworld and an encounter with the Sirens (performed by Neykia) to survive yet another storm sent by Zeus. With Athena’s continued aid, Odysseus finally arrives home and is reunited with the loyal Penelope.
As part of their commitment to the West Oakland community, The Crucible provided 600 complimentary tickets to youth and adult members of the community, making good on their commitment to make art accessible to all. And on the last night of the Fire Arts Festival, a special benefit fundraiser, Fire & Light Art Auction Soirée, was held to further benefit the arts and community programs at The Crucible. Donors attending the Fire & Light Art Auction Soirée enjoyed fine wines and fiery appetizers, dined among flaming sculptures while aerial dancers performed overhead, and bid on extraordinary art at the annual art auction.
The Lahidy Dance Company as the Lotus Eaters
Photo by Eric Gillet
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Odysseus and his men cross the flaming waters
Photo by Eric Gillet
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