“Argonautika” ships Greek tragedy to the modern world

By ARIEL OLSON SUROWIDJOJO
Observer Staff
Feb. 20, 2008

The voyage of Jason and the Argonauts is an ancient tale, but Mary Zimmerman’s adaptation of the Greek myth is fresh, inventive and delightfully irreverent. In an imaginative fusion of modern comedy and classic drama, Zimmerman confidently recasts Jason’s legend in a pert new mold.

Performed by the Shakespeare Theatre Company, Argonautika — which plays through March 2 at the Lansburgh Theatre in Washington, D.C. — pays no homage to the assumption that Greek tragedy is dead.

Atley Loughridge as Medea and Jake Suffian as Jason in the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of Argonautika, written and directed by Mary Zimmerman. Photo by Carol Rosegg. Courtesy of the Shakespeare Theatre Company.

The adventure begins with Jason’s return to Iolcus, where his uncle Pelias has killed his father and usurped the throne. Fearing for his life, the “most handsome and adorable king,” played by Allen Gilmore, conspires to kill Jason by sending him on an impossible journey — to retrieve the legendary Golden Fleece stolen by King Aietes years ago. Under the protection of the goddesses Hera and Athena, Jason, played by Jake Suffian, and his company of intrepid Argonauts set out across the sea to reclaim their kingdom’s rightful treasure.

Any lingering doubts about Zimmerman’s originality are dispelled as soon as Jason’s courageous crew assembles for the “Shabooya roll call,” with each member rhyming his or her introduction to the audience to the jovial beat of drums. Soon after, ropes are hoisted and ladders and oars are set in place, converting the two-story wood-paneled set into a massive ship. The gallant Argonauts are on their way.

Hera and Athena, played by Lisa Tejero and Sofia Jean Gomez respectively, relate the epic journey. But these duplicitous deities lend much more than their narration to the performance. Their cheeky asides embellish the comedy on stage, and their mockery of the ill-fated explorers signals to the audience that in this contemporary account it’s all right to laugh at the Argonauts’ foolish bravado.

Lisa Tejero as Hera and Sofia Jean Gomez as Athena in the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of Argonautika, written and directed by Mary Zimmerman. Photo by Carol Rosegg. Courtesy of the Shakespeare Theatre Company.

The play’s creative puppetry and convincing sound design brings each of Jason’s foes to life. After battling a goofy-eyed sea monster, a giant boxer and a seductive river nymph, Jason and his Argonauts finally land in Colchis, modern-day Georgia. The goddesses watch from above as their hapless hero confronts Aietes, played by Søren Oliver, and requests the Golden Fleece. The king agrees, but not without posing yet another impossible challenge — Jason must yoke two fire-breathing bulls and sow cursed serpents’ teeth into the plowed earth. Naively, he agrees. What other choice does a hero have?

Sofia Jean Gomez as Athena and Lisa Tejero as Hera in the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of Argonautika, written and directed by Mary Zimmerman. Photo by Carol Rosegg. Courtesy of the Shakespeare Theatre Company.

In desperation, Hera and Athena turn to a convincingly air-headed Aphrodite, played by Tessa Klein, who agrees to persuade her renegade son to make Medea, Aietes’ sorceress daughter, fall in love with Jason. Summoned by his mother, Aros, played by Ronete Levenson, descends from the ceiling in a demon-red costume, snapping chewing gum and proclaiming, “Wazzup!”

As Jason agrees to Aietes’ challenge, Aros’ arrow pierces Medea through the heart in slow motion. Love struck, gored and dripping with blood, Medea giggles: “Something has gone wrong with me.”

In the end, the goddess’ scheming is successful. With Medea’s help Jason foils Aietes, retrieves the Golden Fleece and flees to temporary victory with Medea. The two consummate their love aboard the Argo during the high-speed chase that ensues.

“Oh yes they did,” Athena tells the audience. “Right there on the Fleece itself.”

Jason’s victory and his romance with Medea don’t last long. (It’s still a Greek tragedy after all.) But the brave Argonauts do find immortality, becoming the 12 zodiac constellations that adorn the heavens even today.

IF YOU GO…
Argonautika plays through March 2 at Washington’s Lansburgh Theatre
450 7th St. N.W. near the Gallery Place/China Town metro stop
Purchase tickets online or by calling the box office at (202) 547-1122

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