While Christopher Nolan’s recent retelling of The Odyssey has been on many of our minds lately, Theatre Knoxville Downtown has also tapped into the resurgent pop-culture interest in the Greek mythos with their production of The Iliad, The Odyssey, and All of Greek Mythology in 99 Minutes or Less. Jay Hopkins and John Hunter’s rapid-fire retelling of most of the canonical stories of the Classical world—and yes, nearly all of it—is quirky, irreverent, and parodic; gods and goddesses appear as contestants on dating shows, and battles are narrated like sports coaches calling plays. It breaks the fourth wall frequently while poking fun at the stories that have defined human history, literature, and especially theatre. Director Joseph Johnson has led his noble ensemble army of thespians through the twists and turns of frantic blocking, prop management, and costume changes as they rip and roar through this 99-minute production. While it wasn’t the most refined and polished of TKD’s productions, the chaotic energy, messiness, and transparency of this production add to its charm and comedic punch. It’s a raw whirlwind of a show worthy of the Greek god of winds Aeolus himself.
Part of this rawness and messiness comes from the sparse but practical set design. Head Carpenter Seth Krueger-Reilly chose simple white flats framed by two white columns on each side of the stage. This staging only partially conceals the backstage area where props and actors are visible. These choices make the production super transparent and slightly meta-theatrical, as the audience can see the ensemble cast changing costumes and setting up props for the next scene throughout the production. While this might normally be a theatre faux pax, it works to comedic effect. Occasionally, actors had to quickly and crudely put on wigs or glasses to perform as over 130 different characters, delivering their lines with hair covering their faces, beards in mouths, and shirts on backward. The production team also managed countless unique props, 256 light cues, and 98 sound cues. While the entire effect seems rushed, it’s supposed to feel that way; the play tries to squeeze all these vignettes and stories into 99 minutes, and TKD successfully did it on opening night with 1:38 to spare.
Nicolas McClanahan, Rob Rupp, Casey Cain, Hannah Basha, Kelby Cox, Kensey Johnson, Dalton Davis, and Brittany Brooks make up the ensemble cast for The Iliad, The Odyssey, and All of Greek Mythology in 99 Minutes or Less. Note: if you want the full experience of this production, sit in the front row—you may be asked to participate. McClanahan gave the finest performance of the night as Zeus and Achilles; he is skilled at characterizing each role distinctly and memorably. This seems challenging for a production that asks actors to bounce back and forth between characters so quickly. Rupp was funny, even when messing up his lines a few times; his ability to play it off as part and parcel of the experience was effective, and I love how we almost never see his face in what I think is his funniest role, Hera, due to a hastily laid wig. Cain’s funniest roles as Man and Diomedes–who rules, by the way–showcase his skill at switching characters quickly and deftly, and Cox shines as Persephone, infusing the character with a snobbish, mean-girl energy. And while I found Basha’s country-girl Athena to be funniest, her performance as Penelope stood out in an already solid denouement.
The Iliad, The Odyssey, and All of Greek Mythology in 99 Minutes or Less runs until September 20 with showtimes on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30pm and on Sundays at 3 pm. Tickets are available at their box office, located at 800 S. Central St., or online at https://theatreknoxville.com/the-iliad-the-odyssey-and-all-of-greek-mythology-in-99-minutes-or-less/
