SF State Theatre Arts Department presents
Classic ruins meet modern killing fields in 'Troy: The Gates of Hell,' a revisionist view of a classic myth

October 29, 2007 -- San Francisco State University's Theatre Arts Department takes the legend of Troy further than ever before in "Troy: The Gates of Hell." Professor Mohammad Kowsar has created a modernized, revisionist view of Homer's classic myth. While holding on to the classic thematic elements of violence, revenge, amity, hostility, revenge, and feuding families, this production speaks to the contemporary political and military engagements that have helped shape uncertainty and chaos in the world today, drawing a metaphor between classical ruins and modern killing fields. This performance will take place at SF State's Little Theatre from Nov. 15 to Dec. 2. Admission is $12 to $20.

This debut adaptation blends the past and present day as a chorus of recent victims of the fall of Troy find themselves in limbo as they await their final destination. Drawing upon the classics of Homer, Virgil, Euripides, as well as modern authors including Jean Giraudoux, Edward Bond and Christa Wolf, Kowsar imagined a parallel universe where classic meets modern and myth meets reality. He makes an old story relevant by asking some provocative questions, particularly: "Why is it necessary to go to war?" Kowsar notes audiences can expect not just an original, entertaining show, but a provocative look at contemporary politics and society.

"It is a revisionist view of certain mythologies that we have come to take for granted," Kowsar said. "We are putting into question a new identity that did not fit into the mythical mode. We are testing mythology against its evolutionary force."

The 13-member cast includes -- contrary to classical performances of Greek myth -- an individualized chorus, where individually created personalities do not disappear into the group. Kowsar notes that this version also "privileges fierce, ferocious leading women."

Kowsar has a history of conceiving and directing original, experimental works. In 2006, he bridged Ibsen's "A Doll's House" and Strindberg's "Miss Julie" in "A Ringside View: The Ibsen/ Sttrindberg Project," performed at SF State's festival "Bent: Gender and Sexuality in Contemporary Scandinavian Art." For Kowsar, "Theatre is at its most intense as a cure. It provides a bulb, a way of considering other worlds and in turn, considering our world."

Tickets and Information
For general information about SF State theatre productions, contact the Theatre Arts Department at 415/338-1341 or visit http://creativearts.sfsu.edu, http://theatre.sfsu.edu, or www.myspace.com/sfstatecreativearts. Tickets may be purchased online at www.ticketweb.com and through the Creative Arts Box Office in person Mondays through Fridays from noon to 4 p.m. or by calling 415/338-2467. Tickets also go on sale one hour before each show. The Box Office is located in the Creative Arts building, outside of McKenna Theatre.

Location and Parking
The Little Theatre is located in the Creative Arts building on the SF State campus, 1600 Holloway Avenue at 19th Avenue, San Francisco. Public parking is available in Lot 20 on the SF State campus, accessed from Lake Merced Boulevard between Winston Drive and Font Boulevard. Parking is $1 per hour with a $5 daily maximum. Nearby on-street parking is readily available on weekends. For details, visit www.sfsu.edu/~parking.

Calendar Editors, Please Note:
Main Stage!
"Troy: The Gates of Hell"
Adapted and directed by Mohammad Kowsar, faculty
Thursday, Nov. 15 - Sunday, Dec. 2
Thursday, Nov. 15, 8 p.m. preview, $12
Friday, Nov. 16, 8 p.m. premiere benefit, $20 general/$17 students and seniors
Saturday, Nov. 17, Thursday, Nov. 29, Friday, Nov. 30, 8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 1, 8 p.m., $15 general/$12 students and seniors
Sunday, Nov. 18, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2 p.m., $15 general/$12 students and seniors
Little Theatre, Creative Arts building, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave. (at 19th Ave.), San Francisco
Tickets: 415/338-2467; www.ticketweb.com
Information: http://theatre.sfsu.edu, http://creativearts.sfsu.edu, 415/338-1341
Professor Mohammad Kowsar creates a modernized, revisionist view of Homer's classic myth. This debut adaptation blends the past and present day as a chorus of recent victims of the fall of Troy find themselves in limbo as they await their final destination. While holding on to the classic thematic elements of sacrifice, maternal revenge, futility of war and fall of civilizations, this production speaks to the contemporary political and military engagements that have helped shape uncertainty, instability and chaos in the world today, drawing a metaphor between classical ruins and modern killing fields.

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IMAGES/INTERVIEWS: For images and to schedule interviews, contact Matt Itelson at 415/338-1442 or matti@sfsu.edu.

Ariel Morris, an M.A. candidate in English literature at SF State, wrote this press release.