SDSU's production of Eurydice was stirring from the perspective of an audience member and impressive from the point of view of an actor. Sarah Ruhl's interpretation of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice is whimsical and permeated by a magical atmosphere, but at its core it is a tragic, yet hopeful, tale about the relationship between a girl and her father.
The actors in the production discharged their roles ably and with a clear understanding of the spirit and intent of the play. Sophie Ethridge played the titular role brilliantly; she captured Eurydice's naiveté and youthfulness through her effervescent physical presence; however, she truly shined during the play's emotionally tense and tragic moments, projecting the fragility and sadness of the character in a natural and evocative manner.
Shane Blackburn, as Eurydice's Father, was extremely endearing. His outward jolliness was underscored by an inner sadness and sense of loss. His most powerful moments came when he performed his various acts of paternal selflessness for Eurydice. In particular, his stoic and methodical approach to building the room out of string highlighted his fatherly presence and made for a very touching moment.
The real champion of the show, though, from an acting perspective, was Chris Wollman. In typical form, he made every moment rhapsodically memorable through his knack for characterization. His Nasty Interesting Stranger was disturbingly sinister, and his Lord of the Underworld, in contrast, was humorously over-the-top. His performance definitely stands as the memorable centerpiece to a similarly memorable show.
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