Powerful Antigone by Promethean at Den

Jean Anouilh’s famous version of Sophocles' tragedy Antigone is, like most of his work, about maintaining morality in a world overrun by horrific expediency.  It is a work of art first performed in Nazi occupied France and is a classic everyone should see live. It is a work of resistance.  Performed today by a talented ensemble firmly directed by Elaine Carlson, it is a warning and a call to action.  Heather Dennis as the title character is steadfast in her adherence to a core of integrity despite its horrific cost.  Jared Dennis’s Creon is self righteous in his belief in himself and the good he is doing by his edicts and cruelty. Christina Renee Jones as the narrator/Greek Chorus lays it all out for us and serves as a tour guide.  This is one dysfunctional blended family and when a messed up clan is the ruler of the land things get very ugly very fast.  Antigone’s brothers who were to rule after her father died instead began a civil war which resulted in both of them dead.  The new king, Uncle Creon, determines that one brother will receive a hero’s burial and the other no burial at all, which was to the ancient Greeks and sacrilege and crime against the humanity of the prince.  He forbids any burial on pain of death: Antigone, engaged to Creon’s son,  determines to bury her brother knowing full well the consequences.  As is typical in Greek tragedy, a lot of people die. 

This is a thoughtful, well crafted and resonant work. It is also delightfully funny, despite its doleful end.  Even as you know the outcome you admire the courage of Antigone, and wish there were more people in our own time with such solid moral compasses. 

Antigone is playing Thursdays through Sundays through June 27th at the Den Theatre, 1331 Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago.  For tickets and information go to https://www.prometheantheatre.org/project/antigone/

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