Newcomers to the New York stage are performing alongside Broadway veterans in Odyssey–The Epic Musical, running through Sunday, October 30, at the American Theatre of Actors in midtown. This new musicalization of the ancient Greek classic The Odyssey features Eddie Korbich as Poseidon, Emma Zaks as Athena, Josh A. Davis as Odysseus, Janine DiVita as his wife, Penelope, and Colleen Zenk as his mother, Anticleia. Making her off-Broadway debut in the ensemble of Odyssey is Colleen Ballinger, a.k.a. Miranda Sings on YouTube. The cast of more than 20 also includes Tramaine Montell Ford as Hermes and Dan Sheridan as Zeus.
Odyssey–The Epic Musical has a book and lyrics by Matt Britten (also the director) and music by Dimitri Landrain. They took a tongue-in-cheek approach to adapting Homer's work, imbuing the Greek gods and goddesses with some very mortal-like personalities, using contemporary lingo in the dialogue and creating a score that entails the whole range of musical-theater song types. A giant puppet, aerial dancers and eye-catching costumes are also part of the fun. Odyssey is produced in the inaugural season of the Araca Project, a partnership between Broadway producers The Araca Group and Syracuse University to support new works and emerging theater artists. A few recent graduates of Syracuse are in the cast.
Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 8, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2. The American Theatre of Actors is located at 314 West 54th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues. For tickets and further information, go to www.odysseythemusical.com.
Josh A. Davis and Janine DiVita as Odysseus and wife Penelope, who are separated for nearly 20 years as he goes off to fight the Trojan War and has to overcome many obstacles on his journey home.
The gods must be crazy? Emma Zaks plays a Valley Girl-like Athena, while Eddie Korbich's Poseidon has major sibling rivalry issues with brother Zeus.
Colleen Zenk and Janine DiVita, as Anticleia and Penelope, await Odysseus' return.
Eddie Korbich (right) with, from left, Lena Cigleris, Otto Walberg, Josh A. Davis (under cloak), Christian Leadley and Janine DiVita in one of the final scenes of Odyssey–The Epic Musical.
