Playing is not always fun!
It’s been another crazy month at our house, but when isn’t it! I came home from ACFW to a kid quarantined with possible swine flu (don’t think it was) and that very week all four kids started rehearsing for a college production of Oedipus Cycle. We were going to take the fall off from plays, but when the director of the college production called us and the practices were only three weeks and a couple of miles from home, I couldn’t say no. Of course, I had to sell it to hubby, but he agreed it was a great opportunity and not much of a time commitment.
When this director saw my kids in last year’s production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe he’d been looking for shows he could put my kids in. Oedipus Rex fit the bill (to use a cliche.) My three younger ones played Oedipus’ children and my oldest a guard throughout the entire show. He didn’t have much stage time, or lines for that matter, but he was so excited to be in a college production. And Oedipus is unlike anything he’s every done.
Those who know the story or Oedipus, know it’s a tragedy of all tragedies filled with people trying to avert horrible prophecies only to have them come true. The last scene my kids are in is when Oedipus gouges his eyes out. Grace was a little worried about that at first, but after seeing his face smeared with corn syrup/ red die mixture once or twice at practice, she was okay with it. And I’m so very proud of my brood, brooding on stage like they do! I love the way the cry and my boys have even learned how to make real tears! Want to know the secret? Just ask!
What are your thoughts on Oedipus? Do you remember studying it in high school, college? It made a huge impression on me and I was so glad to see it come to live and very grateful for the love and sacrifice of Jesus!
