Court Theatre Presents HOMERATHON, 11/20-21

Court Theatre and The Classical Entertainment Society present The Homerathon, a 24-hour marathon reading of Homer's Iliad. On the set of Court Theatre's Chicago Premiere production of Denis O'Hare and Lisa Peterson's An Iliad, and directed by Court Artistic Director Charles Newell, The Homerathon will showcase live readings of all 24 books in Homer's Iliad read straight through in 24 hours. Throughout the marathon, food, non-alcoholic beverages, and activities will be provided in the Court Theatre lobby. The Homerathon begins on Sunday, November 20 at 10 PM and ends on Monday, November 21, 2011 at 10 PM.

"We're going to read every word of Homer's Iliad until it's finished-that's 15,693 lines of verse, or about twenty-four hours of active reading," says Court Theatre's Resident Dramaturg, Drew Dir. "Of course, we've invited readers to read in any language or translation they choose- one of the faculty members, for example, is reading from his favorite translation, a translation by eighteenth-century English poet Alexander Pope. We've also invited participants to read it in the original ancient Greek, which many here at the University of Chicago are more than prepared to do."

University of Chicago faculty and students will be providing readings, and the general public is invited not only to attend, but to read as well. Parties interested in reading are encouraged to RSVP to Ryan Mease at rmease@gmail.com to guarantee their spot.

Title: The Homerathon
Summary: Marathon reading of the 24 books in Homer's Iliad
Begins: Sunday, November 20, 2011 at 10 PM
Ends: Monday, November 20, 2011 at 10 PM
Location: Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave.
Cost: Free
RSVP: Not necessary. If you would like to read, you may guarantee your spot by contacting Ryan Mease at rmease@gmail.com.

About Court Theatre's current production of An Iliad:
Court Theatre is currently presenting the regional premiere of An Iliad, adapted from Fagles' translation of Homer's Iliad by Denis O'Hare and Lisa Peterson, directed by Artistic Director Charles Newell. The production runs November 10 - December 11, 2011 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue.

"Rage-Goddess, sing the rage of Achilles." Homer's Iliad, a ten-year account of the Trojan War, remains one of Western literature's most enduring legacies. In their one-man adaptation An Iliad, Denis O'Hare (TV's True Blood) and Lisa Peterson return Homer's epic poem to the voice of the lone poet as he recounts a story of human loss and folly that resonates across three millennia of war and bloodshed. Directed by Artistic Director Charles Newell, An Iliad illuminates an ancient classic by taking a harrowing look at the human cost of war.

Ticket prices for An Iliad are $30 to $40 for preview performances; $40 to $60 for regular run performances. Tickets are available at the Box Office, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue, Chicago; (773) 753-4472 or online at www.CourtTheatre.org. Student and senior discounts available. Groups of 10 or more may purchase tickets by calling Kate Vangeloff at (773) 834-3243.

An Iliad is sponsored by Grant Thornton, Winston & Strawn LLP, and The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation.

Now in its 57th season, Court Theatre is guided by its mission to discover the power of classic theatre. Court endeavors to make a lasting contribution to American theatre by expanding the canon of translations, adaptations, and classic texts. Court revives lost masterpieces, illuminates familiar texts, and distinguishes fresh, modern classics. Court engages and inspires its audience by providing artistically distinguished productions, audience enrichment activities, and student educational experiences.

Court Theatre is the professional theatre in residence at the University of Chicago continuing to discover the power of classic theatre. Court Theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Productions are made possible, in part, by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; a City Arts grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; and the Cultural Outreach Program of the City of Chicago. Court Theatre is a constituent of Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for the American Theatre; the League of Resident Theatres; the Illinois Humanities Council; Arts Alliance Illinois; and the League of Chicago Theatres.