Homer's "The Odyssey" - by Kate Hamill - American Repertory Theater (Cambridge, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: Wayne T. Carr as “Odysseus” leads a stellar cast in the A.R.T. production of Homer's "THE ODYSSEY" as adapted by Kate Hamill, now playing at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA. through March 16, 2025. Photo Credits: Nile Scott Studios and Maggie Hall)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
“The journey is its own reward.”
- Homer
American Repertory Theater
Presents Homer's
"THE ODYSSEY"
By Kate Hamill
Adapted from the epic poem by Homer
Directed by Shana Cooper
Cast Includes: Carlo Albán* as “Telemachus/Nausithous/Hector,” Benjamin Bonenfant* as “Elpenor/Achilles/Suitor, Understudy for Amphinomus,” Wayne T. Carr* as “Odysseus,” Alejandra Escalante* as “Woman 1/Nausicaa,” Kate Hamill* as “Woman 2/Circe,” Nike Imoru* as “Woman 3/Madame/Melantho/Anticlea/Andromache,” Keshav Moodliar* as “Amphinomus/Antinous,” Andrus Nichols* as “Penelope,” Jason O'Connell* as “Polites/Polyphemus/Ajax/Suitor,” Chris Thorn* as “Eurylochus/Agamemnon/Suitor,” Ben Cherry* as “Understudy for Odysseus, Polites,” Kristian Espiritu* as “Understudy for Penelope, Woman 3,” Alexandria King* as “Understudy for Woman 1, Woman 2, Puppeteer,” Rodney Witherspoon II* as “Understudy for Elpenor, Telemachus, Eurylochus,” with Abigail Baird as Puppeteer.
Additional Creative Team:
Scenic Design - Sibyl Wickersheimer; Costume Design - An-Lin Dauber; Lighting Design and Projection Design - Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew; Sound Design and Music Composition - Paul James Pendergast; Hair, Wig & Make-up Design - Rachel Padula-Shufelt; Puppetry Director and Designer - Kate Brehm; Movement Director - Stephanie Martinez; Casting Director - The Telsey Office/Karyn Casl, CSA; Fight Director - Ted Hewlett; Intimacy Coordinator - Kayleigh Kane; Associate Movement Director - Taylor Yocum; Production Stage Manager - Terence Orleans Alexander*; Dance and Fight Captain - Benjamin Bonenfant; Assistant Fight Captain - Keshav Moodliar.
* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
Performances:
February 9, 2025 through March 16, 2025
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
The American Repertory Theater at Harvard University (A.R.T.) Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA. 02138
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COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
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(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)
THE AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATER (A.R.T.) takes a spectacular re-invented look at one of the most epic tales ever told in a stark adaptation of Homer's "THE ODYSSEY" now playing in Cambridge, MA.
Now wait! Come back! I promise there won't be a pop quiz on the following. (Of course, I could also be lying.)
For those who NEVER read the book in school, "THE ODYSSEY" tells the story of warrior Odysseus (Wayne T. Carr), Greek king of Ithaca.
Right off the bat I can envision some heavy eye rolling going on but I swear to you, this show moves at a fever pitch and is never, EVER dull.
In fact, this A.R.T. production is perhaps one of the best stagings of the iconic epic ever done or seen anywhere.
This retelling of the tale has been creatively approached and adapted by Kate Hamill, and much of the language used throughout the show is...well...let's just call it "relatable" and "earthy."
With "F* bombs a-plenty" this is definitely NOT your grandparent's version of "THE ODYSSEY."
(Photo: Andrus Nichols as “Penelope” and Wayne T. Carr as “Odysseus” leads a stellar cast in the A.R.T. production of Homer's "THE ODYSSEY" as adapted by Kate Hamill, now playing at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA. through March 16, 2025. Photo Credits: Nile Scott Studios and Maggie Hall)
Ten years following the Trojan War, we see an emotionally conflicted Odysseus who, in this adaptation, clearly suffers PTSD from his actions during said war in Troy.
Even so, Odysseus is determined to return home to his loving wife Penelope (Andrus Nichols) and son Telemachus (Carlo Albán), the latter of whom Odysseus has not seen since Telemachus' birth.
Penelope, like her son, still grieves for her husband even after the many years.
She has remained chaste for her husband awaiting his return - but is now approached by numerous suitors, all vying (while looking more like crude, intimidating wolves) to become the new King of Ithaca by marrying her.
(Photo: Wayne T. Carr as “Odysseus” leads a stellar cast in the A.R.T. production of Homer's "THE ODYSSEY" as adapted by Kate Hamill, now playing at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA. through March 16, 2025. Photo Credits: Nile Scott Studios and Maggie Hall)
As Telemachus grows, he eventually becomes more aggressive in keeping the suitors at bay, steadfast in his belief that his father is still alive and will return to Ithaca, reasserting his rightful place upon the throne.
Penelope struggles to remain faithful, not even sure if her husband lives, but delays marriage to any suitors for another decade by claiming she will choose a new husband only after finishing a burial shroud.
None of the suitors appeals to Penelope save for one man, Amphinomus (Keshav Moodliar), a charismatic con-man who talks of peace while sinisterly plotting to maneuver his way into Penelope’s bed and then ultimately onto the throne of Odysseus.
(Photo: Members of the CAST of the A.R.T. production of Homer's "THE ODYSSEY" as adapted by Kate Hamill, now playing at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA. through March 16, 2025. Photo Credits: Nile Scott Studios and Maggie Hall)
Meanwhile, unaware of life back at home in Ithaca, Odysseus embarks on his return home only to come face to face with witches, monsters and other perilous encounters...yet none more perilous than what he already suffers as a result of his own guilt.
Carr gives a powerhouse portrayal in his conveying the tortured soul of Odysseus who tries to make himself believe he has some moral compass that guides his actions - yet continuously finds himself far "off course."
While on his quest to find his way back home to Ithaca, Odysseus also is on a quest to find his own inner peace and personal absolution for his war crimes.
However, Odysseus seems to only find detour after detour in his quest.
The A.R.T. production of Kate Hamill’s adaptation of Homer's "ODYSSEY" uses many clever storytelling techniques to prevent the ages-old saga from becoming trite or uninteresting.
Serving as both storytellers and multiple characters are what many readers of the story might identify as the Sirens (played by Alejandra Escalante, Nike Imoru and Kate Hamill), but in Hamill’s adaptation they are not called this and serve as far more, taking on multiple yet critical characters along the way.
Each actress is given their moment to shine in the three act epic, and they do not waste a second of their respective and collective time on stage.
(Photo: Kate Hamill as “Circe” with Wayne T. Carr as “Odysseus” leads a stellar cast in the A.R.T. production of Homer's "THE ODYSSEY" as adapted by Kate Hamill, now playing at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA. through March 16, 2025. Photo Credits: Nile Scott Studios and Maggie Hall)
As the three-hour melodrama focuses on Odysseus's arduous voyage home from Troy, the “hero” (at least in the literal sense IF you can forgive his war crimes) and his men are all ill-fated to face extreme dangers.
These dangers include a run in with the deadly cyclops known as Polyphemus (performed by Jason O'Connell in a unique and extremely inventive way) and then, later on, Circe the enchantress (delightfully played to the hilt by Hamill).
Yes, the technical elements A.R.T. utilizes in conveying the "ODYSSEY" saga is remarkable, to say the least.
From the multiple levels used, to shadow puppetry, clever costuming, propitiously placed intelligent lighting and sound cues - all of these help elevate the storytelling.
And yet, none of the above techniques would work as effectively if not for the marvelous execution by the highly skilled and adaptable actors involved in this production, some transforming between multiple characters in the blink of an eye.
(Photo: Wayne T. Carr as “Odysseus” with Alejandra Escalante, Kate Hamill and Nike Imoru in a scene from the A.R.T. production of Homer's "THE ODYSSEY" as adapted by Kate Hamill, now playing at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA. through March 16, 2025. Photo Credits: Nile Scott Studios and Maggie Hall)
"THE ODYSSEY" continues at A.R.T. until March 16th, 2025 and is a journey well worth taking.
Coming up next at A.R.T. will be "NIGHT SIDE SONGS" by Daniel Lazour and Patrick Lazour beginning March 27th and running until April 13th, 2025.
For tickets and more information, visit AmericanRepertoryTheater.org
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Approximately three hours with two intermissions.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
THE AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATER (A.R.T.) at Harvard University will present Homer's "THE ODYSSEY" as adapted by acclaimed writer Kate Hamill ("Sense & Sensibility," "Vanity Fair," "Dracula") who turns a contemporary lens on the story.
In this new play, Hamill reimagines the stories of both Odysseus and his wife, Penelope, and asks how we can learn to embrace healing and forgiveness in order to end cycles of violence and revenge.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATER
MISSION
THE AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATER (A.R.T.) at Harvard University is dedicated to expanding the boundaries of theater, always including the audience as a partner.
VISION
We focus on the research and development of groundbreaking theatrical experiences that catalyze dialogue and transformation. We believe that by engaging our hearts, minds, and bodies, theater has the power to heal and imagine collective pathways forward. We commit to advancing public health in our practice and our programming, recognizing that racism in America is a national public health crisis. Our new home in Allston will be a breathable and healthy building envisioned as a town hall for the twenty-first century. Inspired by the model of a teaching hospital, the building will be a vibrant center for research, experiential pedagogy, and performance. We build community with our audiences, artists, students, staff, and neighbors across Greater Boston, embracing theater’s power to cultivate the full breadth and beauty of our shared humanity. We affirm and celebrate a multitude of perspectives and experiences that reflect the diversity of our country and world. We are dedicated to making a welcoming and accessible space for people of any identity, background, or ability.
VALUES
We hold the institution and each other responsible and accountable for living our shared values. There is no hierarchy to these values; they are all equally important and interrelated. We acknowledge that as an institution we must devote time to implementing and sustaining these values:
We center anti-racism
Habituate anti-racist practices in our policies, structure, and culture
We lead with inquiry
Ask questions in a spirit of brave curiosity in our never-ending journey of learning and growth
We believe in collaboration
Work together with trust and respect to unlock collective creativity
We practice adaptability
Challenge assumptions and create capacity to support “next” practices
We embrace regenerative practice
Promote the health and vitality of our planet, our organization, and each other
