LAFPI

A Noise Within (ANW), California’s acclaimed classic repertory theatre company, announces its reopening for live and in-person performances kicking off its 30th Anniversary Season with Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare’s modern-day retelling of Homer’s epic An Iliad, directed by ANW Producing Artistic Director Julia Rodriguez-Elliott
(she/her/hers). An Iliad will run from Sept. 12 through Oct. 3, 2021, with press performances on Saturday, Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 19 at 2 p.m.

“We have always deeply believed that live theatre must be a reflection of our collective experience, that it must be timely and timeless,” said Co-Producing Artistic Directors Geoff Elliott (he/him/his) and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott. “An Iliad is eerily relevant right now given what is happening in the world—a story of humankind’s addiction to rage and conflict—an ancient story playing out now in every news outlet across the globe.”

Having originally filmed their stage production of An Iliad, ANW is excited to provide theatre goers the experience live. ANW powerhouses Deborah Strang (she/her/hers) and Geoff Elliott alternate performances as The Poet in An Iliad, reliving and recounting bloodshed through hundreds and thousands of years. The lone witness of an ancient and ravaged Trojan battlefield weaves a tale of tragedy and triumph, with an enduring love for every victim of war. The Poet, an eternal being tasked with a passionate examination of deadly conflict, grapples with grief and dualities of victory and loss, power and fragility, heroism and hubris in an unforgettable modern take on Homer’s classic.

“As a one-person show, An Iliad delves into the primal nature of storytelling in a well-crafted and prescient tale of war,” said Geoff Elliott and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott. “The Poet in An Iliad is trying to shatter the protective chrysalis of the audience, getting people to understand that nothing has changed in warfare since before the Trojan War.”

As A Noise Within prepares the facility to re-open to live theater for their new season, the wellness of the patrons, staff, crew, and artists continues to be a top priority. For months, the theatre has developed and refined extensive plans to keep everyone safe. These procedures include but are not limited to: staff and crew certifying as Covid compliance officers, initiating a deep clean of our HVAC system for optimal turnover of fresh air, routinely disinfecting high-touch areas, providing PPE, and following LA Department of Health guidelines.

Before being admitted into the theatre, all audience members must provide full proof of vaccination. Masks are required regardless of vaccination status and will be available on site until such time that LA County stops requiring masks indoors. At that point, masks will continue to be strongly recommended. A Noise Within has required full vaccination for all staff, artists, and volunteers who work onsite. More information is available at anoisewithin.org/covidsafety.

“Since it is a one-person show without an intermission, An Iliad is an ideal production to reintroduce yourself to the live theatre experience,” said Julia Rodriguez-Elliott. “In the meantime, we are engaging in ongoing conversations with crew, staff, artists, and audiences to ensure that we hear all voices and make everyone feel as safe as possible.”

Single ticket prices for An Iliad start at $25 and are available at anoisewithin.org, by phone at 626-356-3121, and at the box office located at 3352 East Foothill Blvd. in Pasadena, Calif.