A Phoenix Too Frequent

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Liz Lauren

Christopher Sheard, Phoebe González & Tyler Meredith in "A Phoenix Too Frequent," American Players Theatre, 2021.

This Christopher Fry comedy, written in blank verse, harks back to earlier drama, both English and Greek. Written in the 1940s, A Phoenix Too Frequent is set in ancient Greece; the setup involves a widow, who longs to join her dead husband in the afterworld, falling in love with a soldier. Performances Aug. 26-Oct. 3.

press release: By Christopher Fry; directed by Keira Fromm

AUGUST 26 – OCTOBER 3. Tickets will go on sale 3 - 4 weeks before the first performance.

In ancient Greece, Dynamene is prepared to die from grief over the death of her husband and has barricaded herself, fasting, in his tomb. She has brought her faithful servant along to die with her (a plan that said servant is not 100% on board with). But it’s not long before Dynamene is distracted from her death wish by the arrival of a handsome soldier, Tegeus, providing a foil for her grief in this comedy about love and expectations.

Here we have the classic “boy-meets-girl, boy-dies, girl-meets-handsome-soldier-in-the-first-boy’s-tomb-while- waiting-to-die-with-her-faithful-servant” story. It may sound ridiculous. And it is. But youth is often a ridiculous ride, and it’s hard to be hopeless for long when you’re on it. Feel free to laugh with them as they attempt to find their way in the literal dark, with a bellyful of wine and all the earnest, wobbly assurance of people dealing with death just as they’re learning to live life. Quirky and Greeky and oh so funny, with a deceptively deep story, this one promises a delightful time in the Touchstone (or, for that matter, on video). Originally slated for the 2020 season.

Featuring Phoebe Gonzàlez, Tyler Meredith & Christopher Sheard