The stage is bathed in a chilling crimson, which casts dark shadows across the actors' faces that glare menacingly into the darkness. Their bodies pulsate to the rhythm of frenzied drumming and their solemn voices cast the room into a dizzying hypnotic trance. The grating sounds of ancient Greece pierce the air, a place smoldering in its own horror and beauty.

The drumming crescendos, and as the lights go out, the stage is washed in the soothing silence of the blackness. When the lights return, the stage is a tranquil blue. And, for the moment, the dire feelings of catharsis, of emotional purging, have subsided. Of course, the real tragedy of Sophocles' "Oedipus Rex" has yet to begin.

Obviously, this production of the Greek tragedy of tragedies is anything but usual. To avoid being a "museum piece" of theatre, one that people attend but only pretend to enjoy, the FTT production staff has given Sophocles' 2,500-year-old show a face lift. Instead of being the mythical king of Thebes who solved the riddle of the Sphinx, Oedipus is transformed into the President of the United States. Creon, Oedipus' brother-in-law, is presented as a fellow political adversary and sometime ally.

The modern translation of the text by Luci Berkowitz and Theodore Brunner closely follows the original Greek text. However, sometimes the lines show up more in the spirit of the text than in direct translation. Overall, this looser style makes the show a lot more entertaining to watch, although classicists would complain that some lines have been translated with a specifically modern spin.

The presentation of the show in United States politics works alarmingly well. Although the lines still refer to Oedipus as "king" and Jocasta as "queen," the actors convincingly portray their modernized roles.

Staging the show is not all patricide and self-mutilation, though. Tony Lawton, the director of the play, has a wonderful relationship with his cast on and off the stage. During breaks and cast dinners, Lawton (although he never has anyone refer to him in such formal terms, a simple "Tony" will do) is constantly seen joking around with the rest of the cast.

Lawton, an '89 Notre Dame alum who majored in the Program of Liberal Studies, is a visiting theatre professor for two years. Although Lawton was a full-time actor in Philadelphia, he jumped at the chance to return to the Dome to teach theatre.

Lawton was not the original director of the show but was selected when the first director took an unexpected leave of absence.

Lawton has, however, stayed mostly to the original concept of the show, "[the original director] wanted to go modern dress with it and have Oval Office imagery, and I think it works well," Lawton said. "The important luxury modern dress affords us is that we are less removed from the story."

In Lawton's mind, it is extremely important for the audience to identify with the protagonist in a tragedy. He feels that the arch of the story is reflective of human experience. "It's a great story for a Catholic school," Lawton said of the moral teachings the show presents. Oedipus goes looking for evil, finds it in himself and then must perform penance to purge it.

"The problem people have with `Oedipus [Rex]' is that they have the irrational anxiety that any one of us can [potentially] become a monster," Lawton said.

Critics may assert that this production's interpretation of the classic modernizes not only the dress but also the message. Lawton, however, does not believe that he has imposed his interpretation on the story. He feels that parallels exist because the story is truly a classic. "I think a thing is true regardless of what culture discovers it," Lawton said.

The real triumph of "Oedipus Rex" is not its novel interpretation, but its acting. Junior Matt Lee, who plays Oedipus, is remarkably convincing in his portrayal of the king/president. And the audience will certainly enjoy senior J.J. Area's performance as the sallow-faced Creon. A considerably talented chorus performs sophomore Kat Walsh's enchanting choreography, and freshman Tom Connor's portrayal of an elderly messenger is sure to please, as well.

Theatre lovers will find that "Oedipus Rex" is one of the best theatrical presentations on campus this year. It is a production not to be missed.

"Oedipus Rex" will be performed at Washington Hall Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and there will be a matinee at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $9 for general admission, $8 for senior citizens and $6 for students. Thickets are available at the LaFortune Student Center Box Office or order by phone call (219) 631-8128.

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