Ben There, Done That: Eurydice
“Eurydice” showed from Friday, Nov. 8 to Sunday, Nov. 10. Photo courtesy of the Stage 2 Theater Company Instagram.
The student-run theater company Stage 2 premiered their second and final production of the semester this past Friday, Nov. 8. “Eurydice” by Sarah Ruhl, retells the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice from the perspective of the heroine, Eurydice, Orpheus’ wife.
This modern-set story focuses on Eurydice's choice to return to Earth with Orpheus or to stay in the Underworld where she reunites with her father (a character created by Ruhl). In the Underworld, no one is supposed to remember anything, however, Eurydice’s father is the exception to that. We watch Eurydice fight to remember who she is and who she loves.
The character that stood out to me the most was the father, surprisingly, being that he’s not a character in the original legend of Orpheus and Eurydice. The father’s clean and precise change in tone and volume when switching between different topics or expressing different emotions made for what seemed like a well-rounded character.
Eurydice and Orpheus seemed too perfect of a couple with a loving relationship and deep understanding of each other, however, my skepticism of couples in real life shouldn’t apply to fictional characters.
In a sense, it’s a weird roundabout way of life imitating art influencing real emotions to reflect on art drawing similarities to life. To my joy, which might seem cynical, there is a part in the story where the couple finally does have an argument, and once again, art now imitates life.
The set of "Eurydice" in the Dudley Experimental Theater with a backdrop to provide some sense of a setting. Photo by Benjamin Carpenter
For the most part, the story had a serious and emotional tone to it, but there were parts that sprinkled in a good dose of humor. The three characters referred to as the “Stones” are supposed to be serious and emotionless beings that work in the Underworld to make sure people don’t express sad emotions and don’t remember their lives from the Overworld.
The “Stones” expressionless faces, along with the dramatic way they react to the other character’s doings, such as Eurydice and her father singing badly, provide somewhat of a comedic relief.
Other instances of comedic moments include Eurydice’s father dancing in a way that almost mock’s Eurydice and Orpheus’ dancing, along with the “Child,” the ruler of the Underworld, riding in on a Scooter, looking like if Danny Torrance from The Shining had taken the persona of “Chucky” the doll.
The build up to the Climax of the story had me squirming in my seat. Was Eurydice going to go back to the Overworld with Orpheus or was she going to stay in the Underworld with her father? Was Orpheus going to look back as Eurydice followed and cause her to die again? Would the two end up back together? Would the story end on a sad cliffhanger?
It was like watching an episode of the soap opera “As the World Turns,” because I knew the story was coming to a close, but I didn’t know how it would end, or if the end was even going to be revealed. Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, the story did come to an end, revealing what Eurydice’s choice was, whether she went to the Overworld or stayed in the Underworld, and what ended up happening to Orpheus and her father. .
Since this play is only happening for one weekend at UMD, I figure I can spoil the ending for you. Eurydice decides to follow Orpheus back to the Overworld, which means parting ways with her father. Right as Eurydice approaches Orpheus, she calls out his name, causing him to turn back and see her, resulting in Eurydice not being able to return with him to the Overworld.
Ben Carpenter is the writer behind Ben There, Done That — a column dedicated to reviewing fine art shows at UMD and around Duluth.
The father, believing Eurydice has gone back with Orpheus, decides to be washed of his memories in the river, causing him to forget about Eurydice. Eurydice goes back looking for her father, only to find that he no longer has his memories. When the audience is left thinking that Eurydice is left having no one, it is revealed that Orpheus has come back to the Underworld.
Eurydice and Orpheus come face-to-face, saying nothing but just staring at each other. That is where the story ends. As I watched this ending unfold, it made me feel sad and I almost wanted to cry. This is a testament to how well the actors do at storytelling.
This play asks big questions about life, what happens after we die, and what we take with us after we go. “Eurydice,” is a memory play that puts the infamous story of Orpheus and Eurydice into Eurydice’s hands, where she makes her own decision about her fate.
I applaud all the actors, technicians, production staff, stagehands and everyone involved with this play. I look forward to Stage 2’s next show, “5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche,” running Feb. 21 through the 23. For more information about Stage 2, visit stage2duluth.com or follow them on Instagram.