The Directors of Scena Theatre continue their 37th Season in DC with a powerful classical drama, AJAX by Greece’s legendary writer and philosopher, Sophocles. This dynamic drama from the 5th Century B.C. is modernized and reset in the Middle East of today with powerful commentary on the never-ending U.S. war experience overseas. John Tipton’s acclaimed translation of “Ajax” examines the plight of today’s US soldier with raw vitality and compassion. America’s conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan are examined with powerful insight and surprising revelations in this compelling drama. We delve deeply into the honors, and horrors, of war — including the ongoing effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Show art courtesy of Scena Theatre. Ancient Greece and its Trojan War has themes and lessons that are hauntingly similar to that of the modern United States. Each society has their share of political turmoil, ongoing war campaigns and battle-weary soldiers who suffer from severe emotional distress. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were devastating to civilians and soldiers alike and draining to the US government. Currently, the wars in Ukraine, the Gaza Strip and the attacks in the Red Sea may very well escalate the planet into World War III. Scena portrays the harsh realities of war with a close look at the ultimate toll on our soldiers as well as the lessons humans fail to learn after thousands of years of conflict. Artistic Director Robert McNamara is excited to stage another Greek classic — modernized with relevance for today’s theatergoer. “Tipton’s script is poignant with bold themes. AJAX the character embodies so many of the qualities and traits that are relatable to today’s service members. “This play is tailor-made for audiences in the DC region. It provokes deep political thought on the necessity of war as well as the evils of war. It calls into question how we treat our soldiers and sailors as well as the expansive role of the military-industrial complex.” Scena Theatre has a rich history of staging bold, classical theater by legendary European writers. Recently, Scena has presented Julius Caesar with Caesar portrayed as a DC gangster. Past productions include The Euripides Trilogy: Elektra, Orestes, and Iphigenia in Tauris. The later two were produced in rep featured notable Greek actress Ioanna Gavakou and garnered wide critical acclaim. Scena also produced a classic version of The Persians by Aeschylus. Plus, Scena’s 1997 staging of Euripides’ powerful anti-war tragedy, Women of Troy, was set in a rape camp in Bosnia and was widely hailed as one of the year’s “Top Ten” by Washington City Paper. ABOUT THE PLAY Sophocles (playwright) (born c. 496 BC in Colonus, near Athens, Greece — died 406 BC, Athens) was one of the three great tragic playwrights of ancient Greece alongside Aeschylus and Euripides. The best known of Sophocles’ 123 dramas is Oedipus the King. He wrote the Greek tragedy Ajax (or Aias), in the 5th century BC. It is one of Sophocles’ earliest surviving tragedies and is set in the 10th year of the Trojan War, soon after the death of the great warrior Achilles. This play chronicles the fate of the warrior Ajax after the events of The Iliad, but before the end of the Trojan War. Ajax is portrayed as a great hero, but he is rigidly defined as an old-fashioned one, proud and uncompromising while unable to recognize his own weaknesses and limitations. CAST   ATHENA & EURYSACES:  Ellie Nicoll ODYSSEUS:  Ian Blackwell Rogers AJAX:  Oscar Ceville CHORUS:  David Johnson TECMESSA:  Fran Tapia MESSENGER & TEUCER:  Eli El MENELAUS:  Kim Curtis AGAMEMNON:  Robert McNamara Designers Director: Robert McNamara; Scenic Designer: Michael C Stepowany; Lighting Designer: Marianne Meadows; Costume Designer: Mei Chen; Sound Designer: Denise Rose; Projections Designer: Sean Preston; Stage Manager: Samba Pathek; Assistant Director: Anne Nottage ABOUT SCENA THEATRE Scena Theatre brings the best international theater to Washington, DC and stimulates cultural exchange between theater artists, locally and worldwide. Founded in 1987 under the leadership of Artistic Director Robert McNamara and Managing Director Amy Schmidt, SCENA produces an annual season of plays, seasonally staged readings, as well as a Workshop Series aimed at developing new works from around the globe. Ajax runs January 17 – February 9, 2025, at Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St NE, Washington, DC. Preview performances will be held January 17, 18, 19, and 22, with opening night on January 23. Showtimes are Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 PM and Sunday at 2:30 PM. To purchase tickets ($45 general admission, $30 military, veterans, and seniors with ID, $25 students), call the box office at 202-399-7993, email [email protected], or go online.