The Comedian’s Tragedy
Written by Matthew Amendt, Directed by Bill McCallum
Access Theater, Tribeca, NYC
An Edgy, Supernatural Love Story About Aristophanes in Hedonistic Athens…423 BCE. The Gods are hungry. The greatest city of her age, Athens has fallen: wracked with plague, war, drink, lust, gods, demons, and a dark fog of nihilism eating away at her light. Censored and labeled a pervert for standing up to the state, a young Aristophanes passes his nights in a haze of booze and sex, spitting into the face of tomorrow with the courage of the damned. When the unlikeliest of heroes emerges, can a guilty, drunken soul become Orpheus and sing life back into the ashes? An edgy supernatural love story costumed in the present but taking place in Ancient Athens’ hedonistic height, The Comedian’s Tragedy is a rollercoaster of violence, love, revenge, low comedy and high ideas. Imagine a play that brings together the best heat, the fire of American Acting, marries it to the icy clarity of Classical Tragedy, and out of the steam of that collision tells a new story of the place we all began. When there’s no tomorrow, what are you doing tonight?
Reviews
“…a love letter to the theatre, a tribute to all things Greek, and a successful and entertaining evening. A highly imaginative and interesting script is enlivened by strong performances. Amendt performs with charm and energy. He has written for himself, and his company, a great deal of lovely dialogue and monologues with strong imagery. ”
— Aron Canter, Theater’s Leiter Side
“Elegantly conceived, beautifully written, skillfully acted, and funny, The Comedian’s Tragedy just might have the elements needed to achieve a significant success, an intelligent, talented playwright, with an innate understanding of the dramatic arts, and a gifted cast. I look forward to seeing it develop. HAPPY FACE PLUS.”
— Jan Ewing, Hi! Drama