Montcalm Community College’s drama class presents two performances of “The Idiot and the Oddity,” by Doug Rand.
Show times are 2 and 4 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Barn Theater on MCC’s Sidney campus. Admission is free.
This outrageous comedy’s blend of wit and farce appeals to audiences of any literary background. Fast-paced and funny, this parody probes pertinent social issues, including lust, suicide, vengeance and death by Clorox, as Polaris, a demi-goddess, strives to help Protagonis see the flaws of Greek culture so she can become an Executive Deity. With the help of a bunny-hopping chorus, this play journeys from the divine halls of Mount Olympus, to the blood-soaked courts of Creon and Agamemnon, all the way to the Isolated Nether-Island of Infamous Evil Greek Women.
This is a delightful, screwball parody of Greek mythology based on Homer’s ‘Odyssey,’” said MCC Visual Arts Coordinator Carolyn Johnson. “It has all of the elements of classical tragedy – blood, gore, suicide, vengeance, lust and adventure – with a Monty Python type of zaniness throughout.”
“Instead of the brave warrior Odysseus, we have his hapless younger brother Protagonis, ‘the Idiot.’ He is aided, not by his brother’s benefactor, Athena, but by a somewhat incompetent goddess-in-training, Polaris, ‘the Oddity,’” she said. “The actors have enjoyed throwing in modern humor and some slapstick comedy. I doubt anyone in ancient Greece committed suicide by Vulcan death grip.
“All audiences will enjoy this no matter what their background knowledge of Greek mythology may be,” Johnson added.
The cast includes: Choragos, leader of the chorus - Eva Walter; Inebrios, a party animal - John Heath; Servant of Inebrios, faithful domestic - Ashley Larsen; Protagonis, a loser and the Idiot - Kyle Clark; Minstrel of Inebrios, a brilliant musician - Josh Stoddard; Hermes, the messenger god - Kendra Moon; Hera, the Olympian queen - Wendy Henning; Hades, god of the dead - Megan Waite; Ares, god of war - Chris Williams; Ahphrodite goddess of love - Amanda Waite; Athena, goddess of wisdom - Amanda Horner; Zeus, king of gods - Adam Helms; Polaris, goddess-in-training and the Oddity - Kelli Lynn Larsen; Guard of Thebes, a messy eater - Chris Williams; Cupbearer of Creon, a skilled bartender - Trevin Bellingar; Creon, king of Thebes - Robert Port; Antigone, the rebellious niece of Creon - Michelle Wright; Haemon, the love-struck son of Creon - Spencer Whitmore; Mrs. Creon, the queen of Argos - Anita Krzykwa; Herald of Argos, a bearer of news - Chris Williams; Clytemnestra, queen of Argos - Megan Waite; Agamemnon, king of Argos - Josh Stoddard; Cassandra, enslaved Trojan prophetess turned concubine - Paige Witzel; Aegisthus, vengeful lover of Clytemnestra - Robert Port; Orestes, the Argive prince - Spencer Whitmore; Circe slinky, supernatural seductress - Anna Allington; Helen, a femme fatale - Tiffany Francisco; Medea, an emotional wreck - Kendra Moon; Pandora, a ditz - Emiliegh Neve; Court of Inebrios, a fun-loving bunch – Everyone; Court of Thebes unhappy with life – Everyone; Chorus of impartial commentators, the moral majority – Everyone; Crowd in Argos, a hot-tempered group – Everyone.
For more information or to book a school performance, contact MCC Performing Arts Coordinator Val Vander Mark at valv@montcalm.edu or call her at 989-328-1218.
MCC students practice a scene from the upcoming production of “The Idiot and the Oddity.” Pictured from left are Paige Witzel, Josh Stoddard, Robert Port and Megan Waite.