Augsburg News

News Archives - 2009

Beckett's "Eleuthéria" examines human existence

JANUARY 26, 2009

Picture of man sitting in darkened roomAugsburg's Eleuthéria by Samuel Beckett with translation by Michael Brodsky opens Jan. 30 and features the directing talents of Barbra Berlovitz, formerly with the Theatre de la Jeune Lune.

Looking for freedom, Victor Krap turns his back on his family, fiancée, and friends and moves into a room furnished with nothing but a bed. His parents and fiancée, Miss Skunk, try desperately to bring him back into the family fold and society. Written in French, Eleuthéria (which means "freedom" in Greek) is Beckett's first completed work and was written just prior to his best-known piece Waiting for Godot. Eleuthéria is filled with irony and humor, allowing us to laugh at ourselves while examining the inescapable problems of our human existence.

Berlovitz said she wanted to produce Eleuthéria from her first reading of the play. In her director's note, Berlovitz writes, "I hope that the audience will find the lay as funny and thought provoking as I did on that first reading."

The play opens Friday, Jan. 30 and runs through Feb. 8. To make a reservation, call 612-330-1257. Admission will be free with the donation of a non-perishable food item or a cash donation. All food donations will be sent to the Brian Coyle Food Shelf and all cash donations will be sent to the Campus Kitchen program at Augsburg.

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