Director

Rajan Dosaj and Stephen Moore

Set Design

Courtney Kneupper

Costume Design

Heather Barber & Jemaine Li

Assistant Director

Laura Neufeld

Stage Manager

Sue Brekka

Tutor

Annmarie Hehir

Orestes

Eric Paul Mercaldo

Electra

Kisha Xiomara Palmer

Chorus

Alicia Cohen

Chorus

Sehra Han

Chorus

Amy J. Kim

Chorus

Heather Weeks

Chrysothemis

Monique Dennis

Clytaemnestra

Lia Beachy

Aegisthus

Tom Hyer

August 11, 1999

L.A. Weekly Review

L.A. Weekly Review--August 11, 1999 ELECTRA Gather up your blankets, folding chairs and kids for an enjoyable afternoon of free theater in the park. Inaugurating their first season, the Culver City Public Theatre presents Sophocles tragedy in a fascinating and accessible production. Using a simple black stage setting, directors Rajan Dosaj and Stephen Moore offer an evenly paced staging of this saga about murder and revenge. Agamemnon, the father of the house, was killed by his unfaithful wife, Clytaemnestra (Lia Beachy) — with the help of her sinister lover, Aegisthus(Tom Hyer) — for having sacrificed their daughter Iphigenia to the gods. Meanwhile, her son Orestes (portrayed with angst and energy by Eric Paul Mercaldo) was spirited away by their faithful servant Tutor (played with heartfelt verve by Annmarie Hehir) in order to safeguard him against a similar fate. Though Clytaemnestra's weak-willed daughter, Chrysothemis (Monique Dennis), has made peace with the situation, her defiant sister, Electra (Kisha Xiomara Palmer), still bemoans her father's fate and despairingly awaits the return of the grown Orestes to avenge their father's death. The action focuses on the inner turmoil and laments of Electra, played with great gusto by Palmer. Beachy is outstanding as the imperial, unrepentant wife. Also fine is Heather Weeks, part of the chorus, giving a strong, spirited performance in a small role. Dr. Paul Carlson Park, corner of Motor Ave. & Braddock Dr., Culver City; Sat.-Sun., 2 p.m.; thru Aug. 15. (818) 752-6597. by Jim Crogan