The Riverland Community College theatre 2012-2013 season opens Thursday with Eurydice. Pulitzer Prize finalist Sarah Ruhl reimagines the classic myth of Orpheus through the eyes of its heroine. Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice must journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love. With contemporary characters, ingenious plot twists, and breathtaking visual effects, Eurydice is a fresh look at a timeless love story. The play is suggested for ages 12 and over.

Eurydice is directed by Lindsey Duoos Williams. The technical director and lighting designer is Cameron Davis. The costumes are by Jennifer Wiebrand. Williams also designed the sound.

“People hear the title Eurydice (pronounced “Yoo-RID-ih-see”) and think it sounds like a Greek tragedy, which they equate with being long and boring,” Williams said. “Nothing could be farther from the truth with this play! One of our actors compared it to Alice in Wonderland. The world of the play is fantastic and surreal, but still has these very human, emotional elements that the audience will relate to. There’s a surprising amount of humor in the play, mixed with very sentimental and touching moments. The ending in particular is incredibly moving and beautiful.”

The cast of Eurydice includes Jessica Williams (Brownsdale) as Eurydice, Samuel Gustine (Hayfield) as Orpheus, Eric Olson (Austin) as Father, Jordan P. Wylde (Elkton) as the Nasty Interesting Man and the Lord of the Underworld, Lyndon Pope (Milwaukee) as Big Stone, Jeanette Noordhoek (St. Ansgar) as Little Stone, and Samantha Johnson (Austin) as Loud Stone.

Williams said, “this play has been a unique challenge and requires some very odd things: An elevator that rains inside. An adult riding a tricycle. A house made entirely out of string. Solving each of these challenges has been a lot of fun, and I think the result is some unexpected theatricality and stagecraft that will surprise our audiences. It’s not often that we get to do a show that allows us to be this creative, and I guarantee that you’ve never seen anything quite like this on the Frank W. Bridges stage before.”

Eurydice will be performed Oct. 4, 5, 6 at 7:30 p.m. A matinee performances are scheduled for Oct. 7 at 2 p.m.

Individual tickets to Eurydice are $12 and currently on sale at the Riverland Box Office, located in room E107 in the East Building of the Austin campus. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and one hour before performances. Riverland students receive two free tickets to each performance with a valid student ID. The box office can be contacted at 507-433-0595 or by emailing boxoffice@riverland.edu.

Season Ticket subscriptions to Riverland’s 2012/2013 season are $50 and are on sale now through Oct. 7. To purchase a season ticket or to receive more information, call the Riverland Theatre Box Office at (507) 433-0595, or visit the Website and download the brochure at www.riverland.edu/theatre.

Riverland’s Theatre Department is a high-energy performance-oriented program. Plays produced vary from classical tragedy to modern comedy and from full-scale large cast musicals in intimate small cast plays. Students are encouraged to get involved in all areas of theatre production including, but not limited to, acting, stage managing, set building and painting. Strong academic offerings provide challenges in and out of the classroom.