The Bacchae: A Ritual of Coming Out
November 13 & 14, 2009
8:00PM
Mama Calizo’s Voice Factory
1519 Mission Street, San Francisco
The Circle of Dionysos presented The Bacchae: A Ritual of Coming Out, adapted from Euripedes’ text for two nights on November 13 & 14, 2009 at Mama Calizo’s Voice Factory. This Rite celebrated the convergence of Sovvan, Day of the Dead, National Coming Out Month, and Transgender Remembrance Day. The following was the description we included in our press release:
The Bacchae is one of the best known Greek Tragedies, the story of confrontation between Dionysos, The God of Ecstasy and the repressive and patriarchal ruling family of Thebes. We cannot help but notice that it holds important parallels to the trials members of the LGBT community face today when coming out. Coming Out is the process of reconciling inner truths and ripping apart a public persona. It is as an initiation into mystery rites, the beginning of a shamanic journey. It should be a joyous, celebratory experience, but for too many of us who were raised in families and societies that told us this transformation is wrong, the process was equal parts pain and pleasure. Thus we see ourselves in Pentheus, a man who was raised to be King and defender of the status quo who suddenly finds himself facing a force that is stronger than he. We also cannot talk about coming out as a metaphorical death without acknowledging that too many in our community have been literally killed for trying to be who they are. As this rite reaches its climax we will also honor those whose lives and deaths have affected our community.
Dionysos seduces Pentheus
Pentheus dominates Dionysos, or does he?
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[...] We’re pleased to announce that we have a venue for our production of The Bacchae: A Ritual of Coming Out. [...]
[...] circleofdionysos.org/2009/09/21/the-bacchae-a-ritual-of-coming-out [...]
[...] pictures of our maenads rehearsal for The Bacchae: A Ritual of Coming Out which is happening on November 13-14th, 8:00PM at Mama Calizo’s Voice Factory, 1519 Mission [...]
[...] Dionysos. What a wonderful day for the Circle of Dionysos and the cast of The Bacchae: A Ritual of Coming Out. We had another amazing rehearsal with our luscious group of Maenads and our priest. He’s so [...]
[...] to be confused with Circle of Dionysos’ adaptation of the Bacchae circleofdionysos.org/2009/09/21/the-bacchae-a-ritual-of-coming-out featuring several members of CAYA, which will be performed at the same venue November 13-14. This [...]
[...] to be confused with Circle of Dionysos’ adaptation of the Bacchae circleofdionysos.org/2009/09/21/the-bacchae-a-ritual-of-coming-out featuring several members of CAYA, which will be performed at the same venue November 13-14. This [...]
[...] The Bacchae: A Ritual of Coming Out November 13th & 14th, 8:00PM [...]
[...] circleofdionysos.org/2009/09/21/the-bacchae-a-ritual-of-coming-out [...]