[Students] The University Playhouse Box Office Proudly Presents the World Premiere of Iphigenia

[playhouseboxoffice@cp.tamu-commerce.edu]

The Texas  A&M Commerce University Playhouse proudly
presents the World Premiere of Iphigenia, by world renowned
playwright Don Nigro. Performances are October 12-16 at 8:00
PM and October 17 at 3:00 PM. It is also this year’s entry
in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.

Dr. Carrie Klypchack, who directs the play said, “It is
almost unheard of for a university theatre to produce the
world premiere of a work by such a well-respected
playwright. It’s usually professional theatres in New
York, Los Angeles, or London, not Commerce, Texas. This is
huge!”

Iphigenia was inspired by the Greek myth in which Agamemnon
sacrifices his daughter to gain favorable winds for his
thousand ships headed for Troy. The first playwright
inspired by the  story was Aeschylus in the 5th century BCE.

Don Nigro’s version, like a number of his plays, is set in
the fictional Pendragon County, Ohio in the early 20th
century. One is reminded of that unpronounceable Mississippi
county where William Faulkner set so many of his stories.
And like Faulkner, Nigro is particularly adept at exploring
the inner workings, intrigues and secrets among family
members.

Graduate student, Jeffrey Stirl, who portrays the patriarch
of the “Ryan” family, said, “I’m excited when I
think that I am the first actor in the world to say these
lines and play this role. It’s fantastic, and a little bit
humbling.”

Box Office Manager, Denise Buckels, who also plays
“Carolyn” in the play, stressed the importance of
letting patrons know that in order to better serve our
campus population the University Playhouse productions this
season open on Tuesdays and run through Sundays for one
week.

Prices are $3.00 for students, $8.00 for senior citizens and
$10 dollars for non-student adults.

Ms. Buckels said, “If this world premiere were in New
York, tickets would cost over a hundred dollars. This is the
best entertainment bargain I’ve ever seen.”

Playwright Don Nigro said, “I wish I could be there for
the opening, but it looks like I’ll be tied up writing
until doomsday.  Iphigenia is the first in a trilogy of
plays. I have to finish the other two.” Theatre faculty
member, Jim Anderson said, “Our invitation to Mr. Nigro
remains open. He’s welcome here any time.”

 “Iphigenia is a powerful, sometimes darkly comic
drama,” says Dr. Klypchak, “But due to violence and
adult content, we don’t think it’s suitable for
children.”

For more information, call 886-5900, or e-mail:
Playhouseboxoffice at TAMU-Commerce.edu   .



Denise L. Buckels
Box Office Manager
Performing Arts Center
Texas A&M University - Commerce
Office: 903-886-5900