BGSU Theatre opens season with 'Amazons and Their Men'

Obie Award-winning production to be performed in the Eva Marie Saint Theatre at the Wolfe Center for the Arts

Bowling Green State University’s Department of Theatre and Film will present Jordan Harrison’s Obie Award-winning "Amazons and Their Men" in the Eva Marie Saint Theatre at the Wolfe Center for the Arts, October 19-28.

Inspired loosely by events in the life of 1930s German filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl, "Amazons and their Men" explores the role of artists during wartime. 

The production tells the story of “The Frau,” a former director of propaganda films for a fascist government. Casting herself in the lead role of the Amazon queen Penthesilea, who falls in love with Achilles of the battlefield, the Frau recruits a gay man from the Jewish ghetto to play her love interest. Assisted by her sister, a long-suffering extra who plays nameless characters in all her films, the Frau must navigate missives from the Ministry of Propaganda as she attempts to create a beautiful film of ancient romance against the backdrop of a very real world war. Amidst their efforts to create a glorious sword-and-sandal spectacle, the Frau and her cast face hard questions about the role of the artist in times of challenging social and political strife.

"Amazons and Their Men" is directed by BGSU faculty member Sara Chambers, and features Sarah Drummer (Bowling Green) as The Frau, Anna Parchem (Westlake, Ohio) as The Extra, Tyler Fugitt (Columbus, Ohio) as The Man, and Adam Lawrence (Spencerville, Ohio) as The Boy. BGSU professor Steve Boone provides classically inspired scenic and lighting designs, and Professor Margaret McCubbin has designed costumes for both Harrison’s 1930s characters and The Frau’s Greek film spectacle. The creative and production team are rounded out by Sound Designer Jason Walton, Properties Designer and Scenic Artist Kelly Mangan, Assistant Director Missy Snyder, Stage Manager Jillian Fournier, and Assistant Stage Manager Macey Bradam.

Performances are in the Eva Marie Saint Theatre at the Wolfe Center for the Arts on the BGSU campus, October 19-21 and 26-28 at 8 p.m., and October 21, 22, and 28 at 2 p.m. Tickets purchased in advance are $5 for students, $10 for seniors and $15 for adults. All tickets are $20 if purchased on the day of performance.

Tickets also can be purchased through the Arts BGSU Box Office in the Wolfe Center (M-F, noon to 5 p.m.), or by calling 419-372-8171.

Guests with disabilities are requested to indicate if they need special services, assistance or appropriate modifications to fully participate in this event by contacting Accessibility Services, access@bgsu.edu, Theatre and Film, 419-372-8495, prior to the event.