Springfield High School students present 'Autumnal Dionysia'

A short drama by Melissa Cooper inspired by the Greek playwright Sophocles and "The Frogs: A Modern Adaptation" by Don Zolidis a comedy inspired by Greek playwright Aristophanes.

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2016-11-10 / Arts & Entertainment Springfield High School students present 'Autumnal Dionysia' Springfield High School theater students present "Autumnal Dionysia," two adaptations of Greek plays at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20 at the school. Admission is by donation. Springfield High School theater students present "Autumnal Dionysia," two adaptations of Greek plays at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20 at the school. Admission is by donation. SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield High School Theater Department presents: "Autumnal Dionysia: Featuring Antigone Now," a short drama by Melissa Cooper inspired by the Greek playwright Sophocles and "The Frogs: A Modern Adaptation" by Don Zolidis a comedy inspired by Greek laywright Aristophanes. The first semester Theater Class, consisting of 28 students, have worked together to produce and perform these shows. The two shows are directed by three junior theater students. The reasoning behind calling this year’s production "Autumnal Dionysia," is because the Greeks would have four celebrations for Dionysus, a God of Harvest and Fertility. During these celebrations, plays would be performed in his honor. The Rural Dionysia celebration took place in early December, since the class is performing during Autumn, they decided to adapt and combine Greek culture and Vermont culture and have their own Autumnal Dionysia: Celebration of Theater and Harvest. "Antigone Now," takes place in the midst of a bombed-out city still feeling the aftershocks of war, the rebellious and intense Antigone defies her uncle to bury her disgraced brother. This contemporary response to the myth of Antigone brings powerful, modern prose to an ancient and universal story. "The Frogs: A Modern Adaptation," is a scathing look at highbrow and lowbrow art. Disgusted with the state of current entertainment, Dionysus, God of Wine and Poetry, decides that it's time to retrieve Shakespeare from the underworld. Unfortunately, his plan to rescue Shakespeare goes horribly awry.