In Ovid's Metamorphoses, he wrote that time devours all things.
This is true in most cases, but writer Mary Zimmerman resurrects Ovid's ancient myths to remind humanity of the lessons that can be learned through stories. She reminds audiences, most importantly, of-the-magic in myths that our nine to five culture has left behind. Forgetting this has kept people from growing says Zimmerman
"Basically, the idea behind the adaptation is that the early myths were a teaching tool, and we've lost touch with that," said UNM professor Denise Schultz, who is directing the otherwise all-student production. "The story shows that eternal life is love."
Around the time of Ovid, Vergil and the like, stories were told through plays and performances, and now, in "Metamorphoses," that tradition remains intact, displaying the stories as they were truly meant to be told.
"We've gotten too practical," Schultz said. "We're into things and material objects and want things proven to us. But sometimes things just are."
The show focuses on learning what's important. Midas, who believes money to be the greatest power in the world, turns over a different leaf when his daughter is affected by his greed. Orpheus learns the hard way that trust is as important as love.
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"We've lost touch with our inner lives," Schultz said. "We rely too much on proof and things we can touch instead of what's inside us."
King Midas with his golden touch becomes a fast-paced power executive. Apollo's son, Phaeton complains to his shrink about his bad relationship with his father and an ill-fated joyride.
The dialogue is modernized to show that these myths apply to today's day-to-day life, Schultz said.
"Orpheus and Eurydice was the only one without modernization," Schultz said.
This piece has two tellings, one by Ovid and the other by the French poet Rainer Maria Rilke.
Orpheus followed Eurydice to Hades where the god of the dead told him that he could have his wife back if he could walk to the gates without looking back. This piece can easily bring audiences to tears, showing what happens to those who love but cannot trust.
"When you've had a bad experience with love, you say that you'll never fall in love again because you've been hurt," Schultz said. "But to go on in life, you almost have to start off nave again. Otherwise, you can't trust the world anymore. We carry too much of the burden of the past."
Ovid understood this when he wrote these tales. He also understood that the only way to evolve past this was to change and grow.
"Sometimes we're too cynical, thinking people are only going to use us," Schultz said. "Society has created this in us. You have to take risks with other people to live."
The play runs about 90 minutes. Each myth has something the audience can connect to and hopefully, something they can use to grow on.
"It's about growing and learning to trust our inner lives," she said.
What: Metamorphoses
When: Feb. 26, 27, 28 and March 3, 4, 5, 6, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Theatre X
Price: $6 students, $8 general admission
Ticket Info: 277-2441
