THE GUTHRIE THEATER PRESENTS A SITI COMPANY PRODUCTION OF

The Bacchae

by EURIPIDES
translation by AARON POOCHIGIAN
directed by ANNE BOGART
created and performed by SITI COMPANY
McGuire Proscenium Stage

A spellbinding Greek tragedy

In Euripides’ tale of hubris and tyranny, a disguised Dionysus descends on the city of Thebes to prove Zeus is his father and settle a score with his mortal adversary King Pentheus. His attempts to tear the people’s loyalties away from the king cause a frenzy of emotion that lands Dionysus in prison. But Pentheus’ misguided attempt to suppress the god’s influence tests his leadership and threatens to bring his family to ruin. With striking visuals and bewitching beauty, legendary director Anne Bogart gives this ancient tale a modern, razor-sharp edge.

This adaptation was commissioned by The J. Paul Getty Museum and first performed at the Getty Villa on September 5, 2018. This production was funded, in part, by The Howard Gilman Foundation.

Three things to know

  • The Star Tribune named The Bacchae “one of the hottest arts and entertainment events to catch in the Twin Cities in 2020."
  • For more than three decades, SITI Company has redefined and revitalized contemporary theater through its collaborative, groundbreaking work. Fun fact: Joseph Haj was an actor with SITI Company early in his career. 
  • Critics have praised director Anne Bogart's ability to make The Bacchae's ancient themes resonate with modern audiences. The New York Times wrote that its "back-burnered anxieties about women and power feel very front-burnered and very now.”

Ticket prices

Prices range from $25 to $79.

Pro tip: Preview performances start at $15 (February 29 – March 5). Hurry, these go quickly! 

Detailed pricing

Content advisory 

This production contains scenes depicting physical violence.

Run time 

Approximately 1 hour, 35 minutes (no intermission)

Venue info

The Bacchae will take place on the McGuire Proscenium Stage.

Pro tip: Can't do stairs or have a special seating request? Call the Box Office for details. 

Accessibility

ASL-interpreted, audio-described and open-captioned performances are available on select dates.

Learn More about Accessibility

Play program 

Want to learn more about the story and SITI Company? Download the program.

Video

Feature

Hear from artistic director Joseph Haj on welcoming director Anne Bogart and this famed ensemble to the Guthrie.

Feature

The Bacchae was developed and presented at Los Angeles’ Getty Villa in 2018, with a subsequent run at the BAM Next Wave Festival. In this video by BAM, hear why SITI Company has long wanted to produce the Greek play and what makes it both simple and complicated.

Photos

The cast of the Guthrie Theater’s presentation of SITI Company’s production of The Bacchae. Photo by Dan Norman.

The cast of the Guthrie Theater’s presentation of SITI Company’s production of The Bacchae. Photo by Dan Norman.

The cast of the Guthrie Theater’s presentation of SITI Company’s production of The Bacchae. Photo by Dan Norman.

The cast of the Guthrie Theater’s presentation of SITI Company’s production of The Bacchae. Photo by Dan Norman.

The cast of the Guthrie Theater’s presentation of SITI Company’s production of The Bacchae. Photo by Dan Norman.

The cast of the Guthrie Theater’s presentation of SITI Company’s production of The Bacchae. Photo by Dan Norman.

Artists

Cast

Akiko Aizawa

Agave

J. Ed Araiza

Soldier

Will Bond

Second Messenger

Leon Ingulsrud

First Messenger

Ellen Lauren

Dionysus

Barney O'Hanlon

Tiresias

Roshni Shukla

Chorus

Donnell E. Smith

Pentheus

Samuel Stricklen

Chorus

Stephen Duff Webber

Cadmus

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Creative

Placeholder for Euripides

Euripides

Playwright

Anne Bogart

Director

Brian H. Scott

Scenic & Lighting Designer

Lena Sands

Costume Designer

Placeholder for Joey Guthman

Joey Guthman

Lighting Designer

Darron L West

Sound Designer

Erik Sanko

Composer

Placeholder for Helene Foley

Helene Foley

Dramaturg

Placeholder for Norman Frisch

Norman Frisch

Dramaturg

Ellen M. Lavaia

Stage Manager

Megan E. Carter

Producing Director

Alyssa Escalante

Production Stage Manager

Gian Murray Gianino

Rehearsal Director

Kelly Maurer

Choral Consultant

Aaron Poochigian

Translator

Michelle Preston

Executive Director

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About the company 

SITI Company is an ensemble-based theater company whose three ongoing components are the creation of new work, the training of young theater artists and a commitment to international collaboration. SITI was founded in 1992 by Anne Bogart and Tadashi Suzuki to redefine and revitalize contemporary theater in the United States through an emphasis on international cultural exchange and collaboration.

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