Rust Belt brings back ‘Electra’

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Rust Belt Theater will celebrate its fifth anniversary season by presenting “Electra,” the first play the company ever produced.

“I wrote the show in 2009 for Terri MacSkimming to play the title character,” said Robert Dennick Joki, founder and director of Rust Belt. “Finding a venue for this production was one of the reasons I founded the Rust Belt Theater Company in the first place, so it’s only fitting to bring the show back for our fifth season.”

The play will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and again Aug. 29 and 30, in Rust Belt’s theater space in Calvin Center, 755 Mahoning Ave.

Joki adapted the play from the writings of Sophocles, Euripides and Aeschylus. Based on the ancient Greek myth, “Electra” tells the story of the aftermath of the Trojan War and its effect on the progeny of Agamemnon, king of Mycenae.

The dramatic story is rife with conspiracy and manipulation as family members fight to decide who will control the throne of Atreus.

MacSkimming will be joined by Molly Galano, who will portray Electra’s scheming, murderous mother, Clytemnestra. Kage Coven will play Orestes, the prodigal son, and Bernadette Lim is Chrysothemis, the middle sister who struggles to decide where her loyalties lie.

Other cast members include David Cirelli, Mary M. James, Marisa Zamary, Leah Trickett and Rachel Clifford.

To celebrate the anniversary of the theater company, ticket drawings will take place each night of the performance.

Audience members will have an opportunity to win free tickets to see upcoming productions of “Alice: A Curious Musical,” “Living Dead: the Musical” and “How the Drag Queen Stole Christmas.”

A reception will follow the opening-night performance. Seating is very limited.

For reservations, call 330-507-2358. Tickets are $15 ($10 for students and seniors).