"Antigone" enters second week

A faithful sister; a stubborn ruler; an embittered son; angry gods; a wise prophet: These characters play out the classic elements of Greek tragedy in Sister's High School's production of "Antigone."

The play, which opened Friday, February 18, will have showings Friday, February 25 and Saturday, February 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Sisters High School.

The play opened to enthusiastic audiences last week.

"The acting, costumes, and make-up are first-rate," said one audience member after Saturday night's performance. "It's definitely worth coming to see."

Directed by Sisters High School teacher Anita Hoffman, the play is a classic story of the conflict between conscience and authority, between individuals and the state, between love and loyalty.

Antigone (Carrie Emrich) is committed to ensuring the proper burial of her brother Polyneikes, killed by another brother in an attack against the city of Thebes.

Kreon (Micah Leis), ruler of Thebes, declares an edict that Polyneikes be neither mourned nor buried because he is a traitor to the city. Antigone's sister, Ismene, (Heidi Hansen) agonizes between supporting her sister and obeying Kreon.

The tension is heightened even further because Haimon (Paul Head), Kreon's son, is engaged to marry the unfortunate Antigone. Haimon struggles with whether to honor his father or persuade him to rethink his decision.

Linda Nagel leads a chorus of citizens of Thebes, (Drew Fegette, Ashley Addison, and Tara Redfield), powerless to effect a change in the tragic course set by Kreon. The blind prophet, Teiresias (Daniel Brown) foretells the disastrous results that Kreon will face for angering the gods.

Megan Benton plays Kreon's wife, Euridice, Kalin Emrich is the soldier, and John Weaver, the messenger.

"They were well prepared," said Hoffman of her cast.

"They only needed the final element, the audience, to pull it all together, and they did."