22 Highlands Ranch Herald
February 16, 2017F
2017 BEST OF THE BEST
Jim Hunt storms and squabbles as Zeus, King of the Gods in “The Zeus Problem: A Dark Comedy About a God and the Mess He Made,” which plays through Feb. 25 at Buntport Theater. COURTESY PHOTO
‘The Zeus Problem’ came to stage via winding path
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BY SONYA ELLINGBOE SELLINGBOE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
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Buntport started with one plan before switching to another
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The Buntport company explains in the beginning of the program that members had started writing a different play, collaboratively, as they always do. “But a few months ago, we made an abrupt shift, choosing to make something that felt more tied to the times. Besides the current climate, we took inspiration from ‘Prometheus Bound,’ a story of what happens when someone defies the king of the gods.” They were joined by “the incomparable Jim Hunt” as the creative process moved forward, becoming “The Zeus Problem,” which will play through Feb. 25 at Denver’s Buntport Theater. Looking spiffy in a purple suit, Zeus (Jim Hunt) struts in front of the audience, backed by a black curtain — asking if they like his suit! He then gets fussy — “You need me, but I most definitely don’t need you … You’re like a bunch of disgusting artichokes!” He goes on to explain that he “needs new suits all the time … worship causes bloating … The rise (front seam where zipper is located) is not do do easily altered … I start there and build y it y C n t o mmu C o m m u ni the whole suit around it …” He soon changes into baggy sweatpants. We hear dramatic, loud, stormy music and Zeus (who is given to throwing lightning bolts around) opens the curtain, revealing the scene. The stage is dominated by a huge wooden table, where Io (Erin Rollman), Prometheus (Erik Edborg) and a noisy, fussy eagle, in an outstanding costume (Hannah Duggan), are To provide the most accurate results by geographical area, Colorado gathered at one end. American writer Community Media does not require, but does encourage readers to Thoreau is at the far end, translating vote for businesses in their immediate local community. All nominated from Aeschylus’ account of “Probusinesses have an equal opportunity of winning, no purchase required. metheus Bound.” Thoreau is annoyed Please see voting website for complete contest rules and regulations. that their words don’t rhyme! What is this, he wonders. “A dinner
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Vote once per day March 1, 2017 – April 6, 2017.
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Check back in two ty o m m u n i weeks for voting information.
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VOTING BEGINS st MARCH 1
IF YOU GO “THE ZEUS PROBLEM: A DARK COMEDY ABOUT A GOD AND THE MESS HE MADE” plays through Feb. 25 at Buntport Theater, 717 Lipan St., Denver. Performances: 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19. Tickets: $18, advance, $20 at the door. ($3 discount for students and seniors.) buntport.com. buffet? Liver buffet?” Zeus responds, “You didn’t receive a formal invitation? Did anybody? … Let’s play a game …” Prometheus is a god who crossed Zeus’ wishes and stole fire from the home of the gods to give to the humans he was charged with creating out of clay. He is punished by being chained to a rock and the eagle keeps eating his liver, which keeps rejuvenating. “No onions!” the eagle complains. “Ever done a liver detox?” Zeus gave Prometheus’ brother the trouble-making Pandora, with her box of troubles. “That was not nice,” Io observes. Prometheus periodically quotes from Aeschylus’ poetic account of the story. “I’m so hungry,” Io keeps complaining — “I think I’ll just place an order!” (Io was an Argive princess whom Zeus lusted after. To hide her from the jealous goddess Hera, Zeus turned Io into a white heifer.) “People don’t deal with me — I deal with them!” Zeus declares. “I want this story to get told without casting a negative light on yours truly.” “Aeschylus’ account doesn’t include Zeus — or an eagle,” Thoreau states. More lightning here! “When you fill your bellies, you forget about the gods,” Zeus complains — and with that, he closes the curtain on the others, telling the audience, “I don’t think you’re artichokes …” This most clever crew offers their view inspired by the daily headlines, enhanced by lightning bolts and artichokes. A quick mythology refresher would add to enjoyment perhaps, but it’s not necessary.