We talk to mary zimmerman, director and creator of metamorphoses, now completing a successful run in the fichlander at arena stage at the mead center for american theater. Mary zimmermans metamorphoses as a splashy production is almost irresistibleits hard to think of a show in history thats doused its audience so enthusiasticallybut the pun does a disservice to a profoundly moving, nuanced piece of theater. From acclaimed playwright mary zimmerman of chicagos lookingglass theatre comes this dazzling adaptation of ovids classic myths. Metamorphoses creator mary zimmerman on the power of myths. Called by time the theater event of the year, mary zimmermans metamorphoses brings ovids tales to stunning visual life. The play itself is amazingly written by mary zimmerman, and features lessons of love, dreams, fidelity, and faith among many things. In 1998, mary zimmermans stage adaptation metamorphoses premiered at the lookingglass theatre, and the following year there was an adaptation of tales from.
In the early 21st century, the poem continues to inspire and be retold through books, 56 films 57 and plays. Mary zimmermans metamorphoses deborah garwood metamorphoses, a play written and directed by mary zimmerman, second stage theatre and circle in the square theatre, new york. Metamorphosis is based on thousandsyearold, stories presented in vignettes. Now, tony awardwinner mary zimmerman brings celeste albarets story to life in a onewoman tourdeforce. Metamorphoses, poem in 15 books, written in latin about 8 ce by ovid. This study guide consists of approximately 55 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of metamorphoses. See a complete list of the characters in metamorphoses and indepth analyses of jupiter, juno, orpheus, apollo, and the narrator.
Also, mary zimmermans production of the metamorphes, which. Zimmerman is the 1998 recipient of a macarthur fellowship as well as ten joseph jefferson awards. Jupiter is the son of saturn, the husband and sister of juno, and the brother of neptune and dis. Metamorphoses study guide contains a biography of ovid, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. The roles of scientist, narrator, mother, pandora, nursemaid. Positioned in and around a large pool on the stage, the characters enact zimmermans adaptations of ovids tales, juxtaposing the ancient and the contemporary in both language and image. In 1998, mary zimmerman s stage adaptation metamorphoses premiered at the lookingglass theatre, and the following year there was an adaptation of tales from ovid by the royal shakespeare company. The play metamorphoses by mary zimmerman, a theatrical adaptation of ovid. Mary zimmerman, a member of chicagos lookingglass theatre company and a professor at northwestern university, started working on her adaptation of metamorphoses back in 1996. The work is a collection of mythological and legendary stories, many taken from greek sources, in which transformation metamorphosis plays a role, however minor. The narrator describes the four ages of mankind that. Mary zimmermans metamorphoses, a play currently showing at the edison theatre, challenges a viewers relationship with change. They worked very long and hard in rehearsals and the final product was amazing.
The work is a collection of mythological and legendary stories, many taken from greek sources, in which transformation metamorphosis plays a role. The objective of the performance was to present the transitions and effects that love has on people, by staging different myths and stories. Apollo is the god of poetry and healing and prophecy and archery, and all that nifty stuff. Zimmerman shared her insights on the creation of the piece, the power of myths and how metamorphoses has touched audiences over the years. A rippling, onstage pool conjures a magical world where gods and mortals coexist and universal tales of fate, lost love, greed and death are shared. Smith college department of theatre presents metamorphoses by mary zimmerman directed by hannah sachs 16 october 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 7. May 07, 2015 a couple of scenes from our colleges production from the play metamorphoses by mary zimmerman. Mary zimmermans metamorphoses season 20 episode 022820. Metamorphoses lookingglass theatre fourteen years ago lookingglass debuted metamorphoses, a play of such grace and beauty that the memory of it still lingers in the minds of audiences today.
The metamorphoses encompasses dozens of myths arranged in a series of 15 books. Book 1 opens with an invocation to the gods and continues with the story of the creation of the world. Metamorphoses play by mary zimmerman, 9780810119802, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Ovid is most famous for the metamorphoses, a single poem of fifteen books, which was probably completed around a. But, metamorphoses is also a compilation of myths, some complimentary and some almost contradictory, that were wellknown in ovids society. Positioned in and around a large pool on the stage, the characters enact zimmerman s adaptations of ovids tales, juxtaposing the ancient and the contemporary in both language and image. Based on the myths recorded by roman poet ovid 43 bc 17. Metamorphoses and other plays directed by mary zimmerman. Oct 19, 2015 smith college department of theatre presents metamorphoses by mary zimmerman directed by hannah sachs 16 october 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 7. The criticallyacclaimed, recordbreaking chicago engagement led to a broadway production that garnered mary zimmerman the 2002 tony award for best.
Indeed, one might compare metamorphoses to a modernday collection of fables, though fables often have clear morals or meanings, which cannot be said of ovids. First, the narrator prays to the gods for inspiration, lays out his theme metamorphosis, and states his intention to write a single continuous poem that stretches from the origins of the world to his own day. Because sol is just the latin word for sun, we at shmoop following the translator allen. Even though ovid starts out by talking about the creation of the whole universe, for most of the poem his focus is more limited. Metamorphoses after diving deeper into the production of metamorphoses i couldnt help but recognize a theme of, the powers of love. Called by time the theater event of the year, mary zimmerman s metamorphoses brings ovids tales to stunning visual life. The play premiered in 1996 as six myths at northwestern university and later the lookingglass theatre company in chicago. Metamorphoses, mary zimmermans 1998 theatrical updating of ovids 8 ad fifteenvolume poetic masterpiece based on greek myths, is. The ancient mediterranean, from the beginning of time to the 1st century a. Some of the stories include king midas, orpheus and eurydice, and eros and psyche. Metamorphoses is a play by the american playwright and director, mary zimmerman, adapted from the classic ovid poem, metamorphoses.
Complete summary of ovids the metamorphoses of ovid. See a complete list of the characters in metamorphoses and indepth analyses of. Metamorphosis plot summary, character breakdowns, context and analysis, and performance video clips. Achelous was a river god and talks badly of hercules, who was not yet a god, and criticizes his parentage, claiming him to be a bastard and calling his mother. By writing the metamorphoses in dactylic hexameter, the meter of epic, ovid intentionally invited comparisons with the greatest roman poet of his age, virgil, who had written the epic the aeneid. The following version of this book was used to create this study guide. Second, the narrator describes the creation of the. It has been said that mary zimmerman, a playwright based in chicago, improvises rather than writes her plays. Mary zimmerman, most noted for metamorphoses, her tonywinning recycling of ovids myths, doesnt shortchange the horror in the secret in the wings, a collection of fairy tales. Set in and around a large pool of water onstage, metamorphoses juxtaposes the ancient and the contemporary in both language and image to reflect the variety and persistence of narrative in the face of inevitable change. Mary zimmerman s play metamorphoses is based on ovids fifteenvolume work of transformation myths. Throughout this play, a reader will understand that the recognizable theme is change. Called by time the theater event of the year, mary zimmermans met. Mar 01, 20 mary zimmerman, a member of chicagos lookingglass theatre company and a professor at northwestern university, started working on her adaptation of metamorphoses back in 1996.
Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. The point is, in ovids metamorphoses, they are two different guys. Check out metamorphoses and other plays directed by mary zimmerman by willy schwarz on amazon music. Summary book 1 the metamorphoses encompasses dozens of myths arranged in a series of 15 books.
Jupiters decisions drive much of the plot of the metamorphoses. I cannot remember a time when scholarly interest in a particular classical author was equaled, and maybe exceeded, by a popular enthusiasm measured in weeks on the bestseller lists, boffo box office, and tony awards. Adapted, inspired, and propelled by ovids epic poem, metamorphoses, mary zimmerman reinterprets ancient myths and stories for a modern audience. Mary zimmermans metamorphoses cleveland play house. Latinists for some time have been taking ovid much more seriously than they had done, making his poetry a vehicle for new. Deianira was a lovely, beautiful girl who had many suitors, including hercules.
Mary zimmermans metamorphoses features tales of transformation with such familiar figures as poseidon and narcissus and with the themes of love, suffering, loss and redemption. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of metamorphoses and what it means. Metamorphoses displays a very vivid display concerning this theme. Selected monologues from metamorphosis including video examples, context and character information. To describe mary zimmermans metamorphoses as a splashy production is almost irresistibleits hard to think of a show in history thats doused its audience so enthusiasticallybut the pun does a disservice to a profoundly moving, nuanced piece. Both presentational and representational in style, the show features many of the characters who are familiar to.
Mary zimmermans play metamorphoses is based on ovids fifteenvolume work of transformation myths. A couple of scenes from our colleges production from the play metamorphoses by mary zimmerman. The narrator describes the four ages of mankind that came after creation, as humans became increasingly violent and irreverent toward the gods. A violent and sexual god, he floods the earth and frequently rapes young maidens. Metamorphoses and other plays directed by mary zimmerman by. Read a plot overview of the entire book or a chapter by chapter summary and analysis. Tony awardnominated for best play, metamorphoses overflows with gorgeous imagery and visionary theatricality.
In mary zimmermans secret in the wings, fairy tales. Jun 30, 2002 the play is based off of ovids metamorphoses, and features stories from greek mythology. Both presentational and representational in style, the show features many of the characters who are familiar to audiences from common myths and legends including king midas, eurydice, zeus, orpheus, and aphrodite. Metamorphoses means transformations, and transformation is the governming theme of the text. I cannot remember a time when scholarly interest in a particular classical author was. Metamorphoses pst opens season with mary zimmermans.
It transferred to broadway on 21 february 2002 at the circle in the. Using movement, song, and vivid dramatic and comedic storytelling, metamorphoses explores love, loss, power. The play opened offbroadway in october 2001 at the second stage theatre. Metamorphoses is a play by the american playwright and director mary zimmerman, adapted from the classic ovid poem metamorphoses. The tone of the drama likewise echoes the themes of change and contrast, from the humor of phaetons therapy.
Slavitts translation of the metamorphoses of ovid works to uncover the public dreams of ancient rome that still reveal. A play by mary zimmerman joseph farrell i cannot remember a time when scholarly interest in a particular classical author was equaled, and maybe exceeded, by a popular enthusiasm measured in weeks on the bestseller lists, boffo box office, and tony awards. The play is based off of ovids metamorphoses, and features stories from greek mythology. Cosmogony used to explain the creation of the world, as well as give the audience a sense of the style and setting of the play. Metamorphoses is a latin narrative poem by ovid that was first published in 8 ad.
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