Get them to the Greek tragedy!
A star-filled production of a bloody Greek play will sail into Fort Greene at the beginning of 2020. This version of the Euripedes tragedy “Medea,” starring Rose Byrne in the title role, and Byrne’s real life partner Bobby Cannavale as Medea’s straying husband Jason, will open at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in January of next year, the Fort Greene arts organization announced this week.
Byrne may be best known for her comedic roles in the films “Spy,” “Bridesmaids” and “Get Him To The Greek,” along with a villainous role in “X-Men: First Class” and “X-Men: Apocalypse.” Cannavale is a two-time Emmy winner for his recurring roles on “Will & Grace” and “Boardwalk Empire,” and a Tony nominee for the lead role in “The M———– with the Hat.”
The pair of actors have two children together, which may add a new dynamic to the story, in which Medea famously kills her own children in order to punish her husband when he leaves her for another woman.
The show’s director, Simon Stone, updated the play to the modern era, with Medea portrayed as a successful doctor instead of a barbarian queen. He first debuted this “Medea,” with a different cast, at the International Theater Amsterdam in 2014, where the play earned rave reviews. Critics called that show “funny, clever, and harrowing in equal measure,” while also “heartbreakingly mythical.”
Stone, who recently directed the Off-Broadway show “Yerma,” has teamed up with Amsterdam theater and the Brooklyn Academy of Music to re-launch the production. The Academy’s artistic director said that he could not be more excited to kick off the new year with the timeless tragedy.
“I’m excited to welcome writer-director Simon Stone, following his enormous success with ‘Yerma,’ and look forward to having the incredible actors Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale in lead roles on our stage,” said David Binder.
The Academy will announce the full cast, ticket prices, and showtimes at a later date. Members of the arts group will have first dibs on tickets when they become available.
“Medea” at BAM Harvey Theater [651 Fulton St. at Rockwell Place in Fort Greene, (718) 636–4100, www.bam.org]. January, 2020.
