“Antigone (This Play I Read in High School)” brings new meaning to an old classic

Sophocles’ ancient tragedy receives a brilliantly revised revival, or revisal, in Anna Ziegler’s Antigone (This Play I Read in High School) at New York’s Public Theater. Ziegler has managed to retain all the power of the story of a clash between the power of the state and the conscience of one citizen while bringing a contemporary conflict to the fore.

The story, which many people only dimly recall from their high school days, is related to us by the Chorus (Celia Keenan-Bolger). Antigone (Susannah Perkins), princess of Thebes and daughter-sister of Oedipus, finds herself pregnant after a casual fling. Giving birth to the child would cause scandal in the government of her uncle, King Creon (Tony Shalhoub) and embarrassment for her fiancé, Creon’s son Haemon (Calvin Leon Smith).

Antigone opts for an abortion, which is illegal in Creon’s kingdom. She seeks out a back-alley abortionist, firm in her belief that following her conscience outweighs conforming to an unjust law. When Creon finds out, he is loathe to punish his beloved niece, yet feels forced by his position to uphold the law — which carries the death penalty — regardless of family bonds.

This version of Antigone takes the original story about the clash between human and divine law and reframes it in the modern concept of bodily autonomy, especially that of women. The play shifts, sometimes smoothly, sometimes not, between a Greek-mythology tinged past and the present. Yet it maintains that tension between the law and the individual’s conscience which makes the original still powerfully relevant today.

The cast, under the direction of Tyne Rafaeli, is outstanding. Keenan-Bolger is a haunting, haunted figure serving as the audience’s link to the play’s action, adding (as Greek choruses did) commentary to the plot and advice to the characters. Shalhoub gives an emotionally layered performance as a man struggling in a position he never wanted and feeling unsuited to his task. Smith’s Haemon and Haley Wong as Antigone’s sister, Ismene, both deeply care for Antigone yet are unable to shake her convictions.

Above them all towers Perkins’ powerful performance as Antigone. Her belief that any person’s right to govern their own body overrides any governmental attempt at control makes her our contemporary. Who hasn’t had someone in their life whose convictions, whose actions, whose choices, though at times maddening, cannot really be faulted?

Scenic designer David Zinn has created a gloomy, claustrophobic set, atmosphericly lit by Jen Schriever, that mirrors the repressive nature of Creon’s city-state. Enver Chakartash’s costumes manage to reflect the nature and status of the characters, especially the subtle and increasingly blood-soaked outfit of Antigone.

Sophocles’ drama has been skillfully adapted, its ancient message made fresh by playwright Anna Ziegler, director Tyne Rafaeli, and a powerful cast. The ancient story calls out to us from across the centuries. I strongly encourage you to heed its call and see Antigone (This Play I Read in High School).

Antigone (This Play I Read in High School) is presented in the Barbaralee Theater at the Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street in New York through April 12. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to publictheater.org.