“The Electra Legend” tells a story of a young woman, betrayal and murder.
Just like the story of “Oedipus” has sparked controversy around the world, “The Electra Legend” has encountered a few problems because of its sexual themes.
“There’s been a lot of controversy surrounding the play because of the incest the play suggests between Electra and her brother and the all-around sexual theme,” said theater senior Kelly Kaufmann, who plays Clytemnestra, Electra’s mother.
The show opened the Department of Theatre’s season last weekend at the Arena Theater in the Auditorium. Adapted and directed by theater Professor Frank C. Rutledge, the play continues this weekend.
Some students involved with the play said they think the show was poorly promoted by the Department of Theatre. Kaufmann said she was “amazed” not to see any fliers for the show.
“We ended up making and putting up fliers and advertising ourselves,” she said.
Dixie Durr, chairperson of the Department of Theatre, said the department supports the show but did not have a full-time publicist.
“We’re supporting the show, 100 percent,” Durr said.
The department did not have a public relations manager while the play was being promoted. Last week the department hired a new publicist.
English senior Michael Hunter said he thinks the cast members have been slighted by the lack of publicity. “The Electra Legend” isn’t that controversial, he said.
“I admit that there are some controversial elements, but it’s no worse than what you’ll see on prime-time television,” said Hunter, who plays Pylads.
“The Electra Legend” was well-received last weekend, said theater senior Tabitha Guttery, who plays Electra.
Audience members have made a few negative comments about remarks about the Columbine student shootings, Kaufmann said, but other than that the show has been a hit.
Rutledge’s version of “The Electra Legend” is unlike any other version.
The play incorporates different versions of “The Electra Legend.” Rutledge uses scenes from different plays, putting them together to form his own adaptation of “The Electra Legend.”
Rutledge did a similar production with a 1989 adaptation of “A Tale of Two Cities.” There are nearly 100 different theater versions of the Charles Dickens’ story. Rutledge read 15 and composed and directed a composite play.
In “The Electra Legend,” there are seven actors playing 11 roles. Rutledge created one character, played by general business management senior David Whitesell, who acts as a stage manager and master of ceremonies. He helps tell the story, Rutledge said.
The show runs at 8 p.m. today and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call the Department of Theatre at 355-6690.
