'Lysistrata' gives new meaning to peacemaker

Published 11/5/98

After watching the Playhouse of Point Park College's production of "Lysistrata," it's conceivable that the original writer of the production, Aristophanes, had the phrase "make love, not war" in mind.

"Lysistrata" takes place during the Peloponnesian war, a time when Greece was in the middle of a bloody civil conflict between its two biggest city-states, Athens and Sparta.

Tired of all the bloodshed, an Athenian woman named Lysistrata brings the women of Athens and Sparta together to devise a plan in hope of stopping the war. After a heated debate, Lysistrata persuades everyone to deprive their husbands of sex until both sides can come to a peaceful agreement.

Once all the vows of loyalty are taken by Lysistrata's band of merry femmes, the women and men proceed to do battle with each other in the bedroom instead of on the battle field.

One of Lysistrata's first military moves is to siege Greece's Acropolis, where Athens' money is held. After a successful takeover of the Acropolis goes as planned, Lysistrata and her gal pals have financial control over all Athenian affairs.

When a group of men ask how mere women can oversee a functioning government, Lysistrata replies that balancing a household budget and a government's budget aren't that different.

While everything seems to be going well for Lysistrata and company, after a while cracks begin to surface within her regiment.

Horny housewives are trying to abandon the Acropolis like rats on a sinking ship, and Lysistrata soon becomes overwhelmed with plugging up all the holes in the dike.

All doesn't fare well for the men of Greece either. This is evident when, after weeks of going without the soft touch of their wives, they arrive on the stage and the phrase "Is that a sword in your pants, or are you just happy to see me?" is born.

The role of Lysistrata is played by April Pile, fine, applied and performing arts senior, who gives her character the feel of a modern-day feminist.

Another standout is Michael Goldberg, who plays the leader of a group of men who try feebly to overtake the Acropolis from their female counterparts.

Goldberg, a junior FAPA student, has had roles in the previous Playhouse productions "A Thousand Cranes" and "The Wind in the Willows."

Another couple that deserves recognition is a lady character named Myrrhine and her husband Kinesias, played by Janelle Baker and Jeff Urquhart.

Even though Kinesias' appearance is brief, it is not soon forgotten.

As Myrrhine teases Kinesias in a routine that would drive any sex-depraved man up a wall, it becomes evident to the viewer that Kinesias does not need a supply of Viagra anytime in the near future.

Although "Lysistrata" takes place in 411 B.C., the production opens with the Star Wars theme, and many of the character's costumes look like something from a 1980s video gone awry.

Silver eyeliner and brightly colored hair may not have been resounding fashion statements during Greece's golden years, but it gives the production a much-needed current feel.

Also, even though it is set in Greece, there were numerous references to make sure the viewer knows what century he's in. It's unlikely that Howard Stern, the Christian Coalition or Richard Nixon were around at the time of Plato and Aristotle.

Local references to Pittsburgh were even made, unless there was a Mount Washington next to the Parthenon.

But no matter where you are in time, that Titanic theme always seems to rear its ugly head, and "Lysistrata" is no exception to this epidemic.

What makes "Lysistrata" able to adapt to these modern-day adjustments, which were done by director Kathryn Aronson, is that this production's theme can take place anywhere and at anytime in the world.

War and sex never seem to go out of style.

Currently, the theme of "Lysistrata" could take place in several areas around the world today. India, Pakistan, Palestine and Israel are a few up-to-date Lysistratas that come to mind.

There is only so much a production can do with limited resources, and performing in the Playhouse's basement is proof of that. However, with limited equipment and lighting to work with, the cast of "Lysistrata" makes the most of it.

Click here to return to feature index.