DIVERS GREEK TRAG CONT US STAGE CLPR C

In its long history of performance and reception Greek drama has been interpreted and adapted in ever-changing ways to share in the preoccupations and tensions of particular historical moments. Diversifying Greek Tragedy on the Contemporary US Stage explores this tradition by investigating a cross section of theatrical productions that have reimagined Greek tragedy in order to address social and political concerns in the US. Studying performance and its role in creating social historical and cultural identities this volume draws on cutting-edge research to move discussion away from the interpretation of dramatic texts in isolation from their performance contexts and towards an analysis of the dynamic experience of live theatre. The study focuses particularly on the ability of engaged performances to pose critical challenges to the long-standing stereotypes and political policies that have contributed to the misrepresentation and marginalization of underrepresented communities. However in the process it also uncovers the ways in which such performances can inadvertently reinforce the very stereotypes they aim to challenge demonstrating that ancient drama can be a powerful yet dangerous tool in the search for justice.