New York City
Ellen Stewart directs The Great Jones Repertory in Dionysus Filius Dei. The title means “Dionysus, Son of God.” The production traces the story of Dionysus, from the seduction of his mother, Semele, by Zeuss, through his childhood, when he was beset by Hera; his love affair with Ampelos; his travels to Attica, Aetolia, Amon and Egypt; and ends with the ascension of Dionysus and his mother to Mount Olympus. It is performed in ritual theater style with sensuous, stylized movement and an intricate vocal score by Elizabeth Swados which is sung in ancient Greek.