First we present a short, original play by Tim Howd, Nick Ortonlani, and Brittany Costa entitled,

“Tiresias! or Oedipus in Ten (with swears...)”

Next, we present a short play by Suzan-Lori Parks entitled, “The Original Motherfucker,” directed by Toby Bercovici

Also, we would like to recognize Lori Zimmermann who wrote a wonderful short play that we were unable to film.  YOU ROCK LORI!!!!!

This Day In the History of Thebes...

1 YEAR AGO - Thebes remains under attack from our former king, Polyneices, who was exiled after refusing to give up his one year kingship.

2 YEARS AGO - The system of rule set up in Oedipus’ absence, by which each of his sons, Eteocles and Polyneices, were to rule for one year each, breaks down when Polyneices refuses to give up power.  Possible exile in store for him.

3 YEARS AGO - After about a year of deliberation, the fate of King Oedipus, who we discovered killed his father and married his mother (as was predicted at his birth), has been decided - banishment.  His daughter, Antigone, will accompany him.

4 YEARS AGO - Plagues hits Thebes, decimating man and beast alike.  King Oedipus vows to find out the reason for our affliction, however, rumor has it that Tiresias, that venerable old seer, has some unpleasant news in store for him.  See EDITORIAL: War on the horizon for more details about Oedipus’ sad story.

20 YEARS AGO - The Sphinx (a horrible half woman, half lion creature who has been killing those Theban citizens who cannot answer her riddle) is finally defeated by the newcomer, Oedipus.  The crown of Thebes and the hand of the recently widowed queen of Thebes, Jocasta, are given to Oedipus as a reward.  The circumstances surrounding the death of our former king, Laius, still remain shrouded in mystery.

40 YEARS AGO - King Laius and Queen Jocasta give birth to a son, yet an oracle decrees that the boy will grow up to kill his father and marry his mother (!!), therefore the boy has been properly disposed of.  Rumors, however, continue to circulate that the boy might have survived...

500 YEARS AGO - Guided by an oracles’ prophecy, Cadumus follows a white cow until it lies down and, upon that spot, founds the City of Thebes.  Shortly thereafter, he mortally offends the god of war, Ares, and it looks like the family is sure to have rather nasty luck from here on out.

And finally, the folks from the ThebesNewsDesk have provided this written summary of the Oedipus Cycle...