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Ancient Greek tragedy 'Ajax' speaks to our times By: PAM KRAGEN - Staff Writer for North County Times Perhaps I'm reaching to draw a link between Sophocles' tragedy "Ajax," which opened in previews at 6th@Penn Theatre last week, and the Pentagon's stunning admission about U.S. Marine Corps deaths in Iraq on the same day. In Sophocles' version of the Greek myth, Ajax ---- the second-greatest Greek warrior after Achilles ---- flies into a homicidal rage when he is not awarded the dead Achilles' body armor and shield. His subsequent humiliation (for the misdeeds he commits during his rampage) lead to his death. The Pentagon study found that had the U.S. government provided better ceramic-plated vests to Marines in Iraq since the war began, many of these men's torso wounds might not have proved fatal. It may be a stretch to compare Ajax's fate with those of the U.S. Marines, but it's not a stretch to say that Sophocles' play, written in the 4th century B.C., offers poignant lessons on how a country should honor its warriors, both living and dead. The spare production, seen in previews last weekend, is sturdily directed by Forrest Aylsworth, with some fine performances studded throughout. Laurence Brown is exceptional as the brooding, intense Ajax. His flashing eyes and coiled energy transmit the volcanic anger bubbling within as he spits out his fury over wounded pride. The Greek kings and brothers Menelaus and Agamemnon chose to award Achilles' armor not to the brave and muscle-bound Ajax, but to the crafty statesman Odysseus, whose idea for the Trojan horse helped them win their decade-long war against Troy. Ajax's plan to seek bloody revenge against the brothers and Odysseus is derailed by the goddess Athena, who casts a spell on Ajax that convinces him the sheep and cattle herds outside the Greek encampment are his enemies, and he slaughters the livestock wholesale. As he emerges from this temporary madness the next morning, Ajax is overcome with remorse and seeks a noble exit when he is condemned to die. After Ajax fatally falls upon his sword, his grief-stricken brother, Teucer, arrives to care for Ajax's widow, Tecmessa, and son (in this production, the child is "played" as a series of silhouette slide projections), and plan a hero's funeral for Ajax. But before Teucer can bury Ajax, Menelaus and Agamemnon arrive and insist that Ajax's corpse be thrown to the wolves. Only the level-headed Odysseus can reason with the kings and convince them that, despite Ajax's final frenzy, he deserves to be honored for his heroism and sacrifice. In one illuminating line that speaks to the U.S. relationship with Iraq, Odysseus tells the generals to be consistent in their loyalties. When we hate an enemy, he warns them, it could one day be our friend, and our friend could one day be our enemy. Performances run the gamut, from understated to over the top. There's a bit too much shouting in the second half of the 80-minute, one-act play. More modulation of emotions would make the words more meaningful to the observer. Max Macke is especially nuanced as the cautious, thoughtful Odysseus. Erin McKown is icy-cold as Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom. Patricia Elmore Costa and Fred Harlow preen and pout as the impulsive brothers Menelaus and Agamemnon, respectively. Brandon Walker transmits a palpable rage as Teucer and Morgan Trant is restrained as Ajax's widow, Tecmessa. Zach Guzik and Tara Donovan play the wise sailors and Megan Fonseca plays a messenger. Cat McElvily's sound design and Amanda Stephens' simple set give a seaside camp feel to the show. Jeannie Galioto's costumes are period appropriate and Paul Savage's slide projections are hit and miss. "Ajax" will run through January in concert at 6th@Penn this month with another Greek story, Edwin Eiger's "Tiresias the Harlot." The new play is based on the myth of the blind soothsayer Tiresias, who spent many years of his life transformed by a spell into a woman. It opens Sunday. "Ajax" When: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; through Feb. 5 Where: 6th@Penn, 3704 Sixth Ave., San Diego Tickets: $23, general; $20, seniors and students Info: (619) 688-9210
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