An Epic Odyssey Reimagined
The theatre production explores the refugee experience through a classical lens.
The play compares Odysseus鈥� long journey to that of a modern day refugee鈥攂oth having to overcome immeasurable obstacles along the way. Randy Reinholz, director of "Anon(ymous)," describes the play as 鈥渂oth modern and ancient in the same moment,鈥� and explains the similarities between the epic poem and "Anon(ymous)."
鈥淚izuka replaces the main character Odysseus, the Grecian war hero who journeyed home for ten years, with a young refugee looking for home in a new land in modern times,鈥� Reinholz said. 鈥淭rucks and trains replace the ships of Odysseus. The monsters come right from the headlines of today鈥檚 news stories.鈥�
Anon(ymous) was originally commissioned by the Children鈥檚 Theatre of Minneapolis, yet confronts adult issues like sweat shop workers and attempted enslavement, among others.
鈥淭here are exquisitely paced moments of tenderness, romance, and beauty,鈥� says Reinholz. 鈥淭he sweet parts of the play balance the savage reality faced by refugees in first world countries today.鈥�
A timely political issue
Although written in 2006, Iizuka鈥檚 script is more relevant than ever in today鈥檚 political climate. In a 2007 interview with , Iizuka was asked about how much of the play was influenced by the times in which she was writing it. She responded, 鈥淚 want very much for the play to speak to our times鈥攁nd these are times that have been particularly harsh and unforgiving to refugees and recent immigrants. I hope the play begins to honor some of their experiences and stories.鈥�Reinholz recently echoed Iizuka鈥檚 sentiments.
鈥淢ost important about 'Anon(ymous)' is that it is a beautiful text,鈥� Reinholz said. 鈥淚t is poetic and soulful, while depicting the best of humanity and the generosity shown in an all too often cruel world.鈥�
"Anon(ymous)" will run Sept. 29 through Oct. 8 in 色情视频鈥檚 Experimental Theatre. To purchase tickets, visit the .
