Phedre

After a critically acclaimed first season, Wide Eyed Productions kicks off their exciting second season with Jean Racine’s racy Greek tragedy, Phédre. Directed with the unique visions and excellent movement sensibilities of Aubrey Snowden, this production demonstrates the weakness that can exist in human beings and the vital strength of integrity. With a sexy and classically poised ensemble, the cast of Phédre brings Snowden’s modern day tabloid twist to life. Phédre examines the public’s obsession with celebrities and how the media has turned these glamorous, but otherwise ordinary citizens, into royalty. Set in aging film actress, Phédre’s, high-end New York City loft, this tragedy uses multimedia and deep movement expression to carry the classic text. Left by her famous producer husband, Theseus (Colin McFadden), with only her crafty Personal Assistant, Oenone (Vanessa Gibens) to advise her, Phédre (Kym Smith) finds herself inappropriately attracted to her moody and mysterious stepson, Hippolytus (Jake Paque). Tortured, the queen in her prime is unhinged by her illicit lust for her stepson and finds herself overtaken by the vicious, unspeakable betrayal of her own body, and becomes consumed with illness. The only thing that can withstand such weakness is the upright love that Hippolytus’ has for the forbidden budding starlet, Aricia (Genevieve Gearheart). The dying queen’s infatuation for her stepson and the scrupulous upright love that Hippolytus’ has for the forbidden beauty Aricia, is a story that has survived time and has come to be known as one of the great tragedies of history. This entrancing testimony of passion is a tale of a woman’s lust, strong enough to bring down a kingdom.

Witty, visually stimulating and full of passion Phédre will move you. If you spend your nights wondering about "Brangelina" or "TomKat," or even if you have never picked up a celebrity magazine, you will be engrossed in Wide Eyed’s production of this stirring tale.