In the spotlight

Bryce Alderton, Independent

Actors and actresses of all ages made their way into the theater,

anxiously awaiting their chance to test their vocal chords and body

language for a play that’s more than 2,000 years old.

More than 40 eager thespians came out to audition for the 18-member

cast at Golden West College’s Mainstage Theater. They were vying for a

part in Sophocles’ Greek tragedy “Oedipus Rex.”

Whether acting for fun or profession, the love of Greek tragedy

brought these thespians to the stage.

Auditions for the parts of the tragic hero Oedipus, and his mother and

wife Jocasta took up the first 1 1/2 hours of the 3 1/2-hour audition

Jan. 29.

Among them were longtime actors 19-year-old Cypress College student

Matthew Gilbert and 17-year-old Westminster resident Lindsey Nelson.

“Oedipus Rex” was the first Greek play Gilbert has tried out for in

his acting career that includes 60 plays.

“I read the play and it really speaks to me, acting is the only thing

I know,” Gilbert said as he walked off the stage after completing his

dialogue with Nelson.

Nelson has been acting since she was 7, and has been in 10 plays, six

variety shows and one independent movie titled “Butterflies Die.”

Queen Jocasta’s dramatic role intrigued her.

“I like playing the dramatic part,” Nelson said. “Both her and Oedipus

fall victims to a self-fulfilling prophecy, which is ironic, I like

irony.”

The queen’s character also intrigued 56-year-old Long Beach resident

Kathleen Fabry who began acting 40 years ago, and now has a chance to get

back into acting after working for 32 years with Southern California Gas

Company.

She gives much of the credit for her interest in acting to her high

school drama and speech teacher Beverly Booth.

“I was impressed with Shakespeare as a high school student and I had a

wonderful drama coach that got every cent out of me that she could,”

Fabry said. “I enjoy [acting] and I love Greek tragedy. The director did

a beautiful job, there are so many voices.”

The remainder of the night was spent with actors trying out for the

chorus, the messenger, shepherd, the prophet Teiresias and Jocasta’s

brother Creon.

Director Tom Amen groups “Oedipus Rex” into the same category as

William Shakespeare’s “King Lear” when it comes to clarity and structure.

“I personally feel that structurally it’s the best crafted play ever,”

Amen said. “Clarity and structure are on par with King Lear, there’s

nothing in it that’s not completely necessary.”

The second year instructor at Goldenwest said Greek tragedy, “hasn’t

been done here as far back as anyone can remember.”

“Greek tragedy is so big, it’s not a kitchen sink drama,” Amen said.

“These are epic heroes. I want people that move well, that want to be

involved.”

Qualities Amen said he looked for in choosing the cast included

clarity of voice, stage presence, maturity and enthusiasm.

Even though the original version of the play had only one woman

playing a major role, Jocasta, Amen said he wanted as many different

types of actors as possible and wouldn’t limit the traditionally male

roles to men.

After the second day of auditions Amen announced his selection. Among

the cast will be Huntington Beach resident and second year Golden West

College student Josh Matheson who said he looks forward to the challenge

of playing Creon. “Oedipus Rex” will be Matheson’s fourth play, he also

acted in “Our Town” at Golden West College.

“I’m honored to get the opportunity to do it,” Matheson said. “It’s

exciting to be a part of something that’s over 2,000 years old.”

Golden West College will begin performances of “Oedipus Rex” on March

8.

FYI

The play tells the story of Oedipus the King of Thebes and his attempt

to end a citywide plague, but he is told by his brother-in-law Creon that

an ancient oracle said the plague will end once the killer of Laius, the

previous king, is found.

Through many interactions with prophets, Oedipus learns that he is the

killer, which leads to his exile.

“Oedipus Rex” is one of 120 plays Sophocles wrote during his life from

496 B.C. to 406 B.C., but one of only seven complete plays that survive.

Sophocles’ characters are tragically flawed but have heroic stature.