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Casting is set for Germaine Greer’s version of Aristophanes’ “Lysistrata,” a classical Greek comedy that addresses the conflicts between sex, love, infidelity, coercion and manipulation in a sex strike for “peace” during wartime.  These themes will comically collide in a provocatively teasing political power-play.

Morality aside, the play in two acts addresses love, lust and other emotions in existing and enduring love between partners, versus the use of women’s inherent power to withhold sex for a political end.

With a grueling rehearsal schedule to begin in early March, “Lysistrata” is due to open in April.

Albert Virgen, who is at PCC to get his transfer units toward an English degree, auditioned for the character Kinesias, whose wife Myrrhine is conflicted in her love for her husband while attempting to keep his sexual attentions at arm’s length in order to effectively adhere to her agreement in the strike.

When asked if he was nervous about his pending cold read, or comfortable with the sexuality inherent with the characters and subject matter, Virgen just smiled.

“It’s a comedy, so you have to have this sort of lightness of spirit and the ability to play—almost like a clown—and I’m excited to go in there and show my stuff,” he said. “They tell me that sexuality is a strong suit of mine. I’ve never really noticed, but you get a lot of second-hand opinions, so I do feel comfortable. It’ll be like playing myself.”

Virgen began his audition by placing his hand within the front of his pants in order to feign the result of what would be his own erection—a prompt from the original script notes that the aroused men are to sport phalluses under their “Togas.”  The result was pleased tittering and laughter from his audience—­the director, stage manager and the assorted actors who awaited their turn at the stage. After being asked for a callback audition Thursday, Virgen has been cast as Nikias, an Athenian senator intent on keeping the status quo.

Heather Corwin, the play’s director and an acting and directing instructor at PCC, is using physicality to enhance and spotlight the clear sexuality written within the text.

“I’ve had more time in these auditions than I would normally,” she said. “And what we try to do in these auditions is figure out if people are capable of making big choices. And that’s really what playing is about—what acting is about.”
Jacquelyn Holder, theater and business management, recently played Zoe in “Zoe’s Perfect Wedding” at PCC and read for several parts in “Lysistrata.” Striking in her near cherubic prettiness, she had already completed her audition with the monologue from the play’s title character and was later asked to read for the part of Myrrhine, for which she has been cast.

“I see her as someone who is very sweet and seems very innocent on the outside,” she said. “Kind of like pink glitter. But when she’s with her husband, she’s more like a lioness.
In reference to recent political events that have occurred in Japan, where a sex strike is currently in effect, Holder talked further on how the subject matter guided her in her audition.

“’Lysistrata’ is a story that really speaks to me, and I feel like it’s very timely,” she said. “The story is appropriate for now, because some things never change.”

Ned Kirby, theater and philosophy, a classically handsome actor clearly comfortable in his own skin, is seeking to work with Corwin for the first time. He spoke fresh from his audition for Demostratus, for which he has since been cast, a key character opposite that of the title character, Lysistrata.

“I’m really excited, although the male roles are a bit shorter,” said Kirby. “You put in it what you can, and whatever happens, happens. There’s some incredible characters and I am dying to work with Heather. She’s amazing,” he said. “I’m eager to work with her.”

During the audition and rehearsal process, Corwin is encouraging further open student and patron discussion on the play’s subject matter with a blog that is available for comments at www.lysistratasexy.blogspot.com.

With the discussion of sex in intramarital and extramarital relationships a common hotbed for controversy, adding fuel to the proverbial fire is what might be considered by some to be morally reprehensible: the use of sex to manipulate. Whether the end justifies the means in sexual coercion is up to the viewer.

With the play’s 20 character cast chosen, rehearsals are to begin the first week in March in preparation for its scheduled opening April 25 in the new Little Theater in the Center for the Arts Building.

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