Something tragic and Greek going on up in here.

You may have read The Bacchae in your high school English class, but UW-Stout’s University Theatre will be performing it in a slightly different way. The Greek tragedy centers on Greek god Dionysus and his cult of lady followers. Dionysus, the god of wine (and resident party boy of Mount Olympus), decides to march on Thebes to punish its self-righteous leaders for the bad publicity they have been spreading about him – namely that’s he’s a mere man, not the son of Zeus – as well as the invalidity of his new religion, a dangerous combination of sensual freedom and unbridled violence. Oh snap. To teach the Thebans a lesson, Dionysus bewitches their women, captivating them with intoxicating music and engaging them in wild bacchanalian rituals, ultimately using them as his instruments of revenge. The Bacchae was originally written by the Greek playwright Euripides, although Stout will be doing the David Greig adaptation. “The Greig version has a very modern sensibility to it in terms of the language, while still maintaining the integrity of Euripides work,” said Paul Calenberg, the director. “Greig brings a very raw and sensual flair to the script. Our production will expand on that by incorporating music, dance, and movement.” While we won’t ruin the ending for you, Bacchae is a Greek tragedy, and as all good parties must come to an end, don’t be too surprised when the blood begins to flow and the lamentation begins.

UW-Stout Presents The Bacchae • April 14-17 • Harvey Hall Theatre, 721 3rd St., Menomonie • 7:30pm • $12 • 232-1431