HELLENIC UNIVERSITY CLUB : PRODUCTIONS

This play is based on the story by Nikos Kazantzakis, was performed at the Armstrong Theater on May 7 and 8, 1993, and was a huge success. It was the first time in many years that a stage play was performed in the Greek language.

Kapetan Mihalis takes place on the island of Crete at the end of the 19th Century. Crete is still under Turkish rule, but revolution is at hand. Conflict arises when a Turkish nobleman, Nuri Bey, and his boyhood friend Kapetan Mihalis clash over Nuri's concubine Eminé, who makes advances on both Kapetan Mihalis and Kapetan Polixighis, also a longtime friend.

The oppression of the Turks, and the loss of friends and family in revolution, combined with the pain and conflict caused by Eminé is too much for Kapetan Mihalis to bear. His concern is the freedom of Crete, and he stops at nothing to achieve it.

Our second play was a musical romantic comedy, written by a local author named Nick Gaitatjis. Once again, The Tenth Muse proved to be a success, with two sold-out performance at the Armstrong Theater, March 20, and 21, 1994.

The story takes place in modern day Athens, Greece, at a successful nightclub owned by the widowed singer Gogó. The club's manager Stavros is in love with Gogó, but he can't find the words to tell her. Instead, he works quietly by her side at the club, hoping that someday she'll notice him.

She, however, has her eyes set on Alex, the handsome stranger that comes into the club and promises her a recording contract. His good friend Kostas, the club's cook, comes up with an April Fool's Day prank to pose as a robber so that Stavros can save Gogó and show her how much he loves her. The real laughs begin, though, when a real robber shows up instead!

Odysseus, Come Home, is a modern comedy-drama based on the ancient work of Homer. This play was staged at the Armstrong Theater, February 18, 19, and 20, 1995.

In this modern adaptation, Odysseus lands on an island where the myth surrounding him has become larger than life.

The island's Prime Minister, disappointed by Odysseus' ordinary physical appearance and image, decides to present his citizens a handsome companion of Odysseus instead of the real Odysseus. Outrages by this, Odysseus comes up with an idea ...

This play is about the creation of myths in society and the difficulty of living up to them, the exploitation of those myths by politicians, and the conflicts associated with returning home.

Midas Has Donkey Ears, is a contemporary play based on Greek Mythology. This play was staged at the Armstrong Theater, on March 16 & 17, 1996.

The story is framed around the myth of King Midas who foolishly asked god Dionysos to make him wealth, at any cost. "God, everything I touch I want it to turn to gold." The god granted the king's request with one condition: His ear had to grow like a donkey's!

The hero of the story was an ordinary person, unappreciated by family, friends and co-workers. Thinking that with money comes respect, he dreamed up the idea to proclaim that he won the Greek Super LOTTO. As he had dreamed, the miracle did happen. He became the center of attention. However, like Midas' big ears, the burden of the secret is excessive. He wants to retract the story and the results are comical and tragic.

The play is about the unusual folk painter from Lesbos, the hardships he endured and his unparalleled devotion to his work. Theophilos imbued with the Hellenic culture was totally unappreciated during his own time. The value of his art was recognized only after his death. Now his paintings are hanging in museums all over the world and are very much sought after. Using humor and very clever character development, the play is both entertaining and educational.

KAPETAN MIHALIS

THE TENTH MUSE

ODYSSEUS COME HOME

MIDAS HAS DONKEY EARS

THEOPHILOS