Skip to main content

Holiday Hours: The Folger is closing at 4:30pm on Dec 24 and Dec 31. We are closed all day on Dec 25 and Jan 1.

What's on /

Metamorphoses

By Mary Zimmerman
Directed by Psalmayene 24

Metamorphoses

Booking and details

This event has passed.

Dates Tue, May 7 – Sun, Jun 23, 2024

Duration 90 minutes with no intermission

Please note: Children under the age of 4 are not permitted.

Content Transparency: This production includes some mature content including stylized intimacy and the topic of incest.

Ovid’s classic stories of the loves, losses, and transformations of gods and mortals are reimagined for the 21st century in Mary Zimmerman’s adaptation.

Juxtaposing the mythic and the modern, the stories of Aphrodite, Midas, Cupid, and others are told in a whimsical and poignant fashion, reminding us that the joys, follies, and heartbreaks of being human are universal.

Metamorphoses was nominated for three Tony Awards in 2002, including “Best Play.”


Based on the Myths of Ovid, from the translation by David R. Slavitt, Johns Hopkins University Press, 1994.

Premiered in New York City by The Second Stage Theatre, New York, September, 2001 (Artistic Director: Carole Rothman  Managing Director: Carol Fishman  Executive Director: Alexander Fraser). Metamorphoses was originally produced by Lookingglass Theatre Company, Chicago

Rainer Maria Rilke’s Poem ORPHEUS, EURYDICE, HERMES. Translated by Stephen Mitchell, 1995 Modern.

Cast

Edwin Brown

Third Man: Phaeton and others

Edwin Brown

Renea S. Brown

Third Woman: Myrrha and others

Renea S. Brown

DeJeanette Horne

First Man: Zeus and others

DeJeanette Horne

Yesenia Iglesias

First Woman: Aphrodite and others

Yesenia Iglesias

Billie Krishawn

Second Woman: Eurydice and others

Billie Krishawn

Manu Kumasi

Fourth Man: Vertumnus and others

Manu Kumasi

Miss Kitty

Water Nymph

Miss Kitty

Jon Hudson Odom

Second Man: Midas and others

Jon Hudson Odom

Kalen Robinson

Fourth Woman: Midas' Daughter and others

Kalen Robinson

Gerrad Alex Taylor

Fifth Man: Bacchus and others

Gerrad Alex Taylor

Renee Elizabeth Wilson

Fifth Woman: Alcyone and others

Renee Elizabeth Wilson

Saron Araia

u/s First Woman: Aphrodite and others, Fifth Woman: Alcyone and others

Saron Araia

Ronald Benson-El, Jr

u/s First Man: Zeus and others, Second Man: Midas and others, Third Man: Phaeton and others

Ronald Benson-El, Jr

Edmée – Marie Faal

u/s Second Woman: Eurydice and others, Fourth Woman: Midas' Daughter and others

Edmée – Marie Faal

Neko Ramos

u/s Fourth Man: Vertumnus and others, Fifth Man: Bacchus and others

Neko Ramos

Nandi Talton

u/s Water Nymph, Third Woman: Myrrha and others

Nandi Talton

Creative team

Mary Zimmerman

Playwright

Mary Zimmerman

Psalmayene 24

Director

Psalmayene 24

Tony Thomas

Choreographer

Tony Thomas

Lawrence E. Moten III

Scenic Designer

Lawrence E. Moten III

Mika Eubanks

Costume Designer

Mika Eubanks

William K. D’Eugenio

Lighting Designer

William K. D’Eugenio

Nick Hernandez

Sound Designer, Composer

Nick Hernandez

Willy Schwarz

Original Music

Willy Schwarz

Rueben D. Echoles

Wig and Hair Designer

Rueben D. Echoles

Deb Thomas

Props Designer

Deb Thomas

Kaja Dunn

Resident Intimacy Director and Cultural Consultant

Kaja Dunn

Faedra Chatard Carpenter

Dramaturg

Faedra Chatard Carpenter

Lauren Pekel

Production Stage Manager

Lauren Pekel

Jenna Lynn Keefer

Assistant Stage Manager

Jenna Lynn Keefer

Mekala Sridhar

Associate Director

Mekala Sridhar

Jeannette Christensen

Assistant Costume Designer

Jeannette Christensen

Yetunde Felix-Ukwu

Dialect Coach

Yetunde Felix-Ukwu

Claire Fogle

Production Stage Manager

Claire Fogle

Folger Theatre Sponsors

With special thanks to

The Share Fund

Premier Season Sponsor

Dr. Bill and Evelyn Braithwaite

Season Sponsor

Helen and David Kenney & Family
Andrea “Andi” Kasarsky

Production Sponsor

Nancy and Steve Howard (Romeo and Juliet)

Contributing Sponsor

Celia and Keith Arnaud
Gail Kern Paster

Associate Sponsor

Timothy J. Carlton (Romeo and Juliet)
Wes and Sly Hallman
Peter and Mary Pennington
Rick Kasten (Romeo and Juliet)

Artist Sponsor

Karl K. and Carrol Benner Kindel

This event has passed.