Decidedly not average high school fare. Sonnets to Orpheus, a Heartwood / Lincoln Academy collaboration, is a reflective, meditative theater experience, intertwining the tragic and beautiful love story of the Greek myth, Orpheus and Euridice, with the poetry of Reiner Maria Rilke's Sonnets to Orpheus.   Under the direction of Griff Braley, this cast delivers an impactful theater experience far beyond typical high school performance.

 To quote an audience member following Saturday’s matinee, “The caliber of this performance was so fine, so exceptional … the level of acting, complete immersion into characters, the pacing, set design, music, everything... exceptional.”  From the opening image to the final, we are captivated.  And we want to be."

 To attend Sonnets of Orpheus is to set upon a journey in which students transform into characters bearing the deepest of human experience.  One audience member likened it to a ballet, in which set, lighting, costumes and original music by Sophia Scott lift and carry Rilke’s poetry through fluid movement, musical lyrics, ensemble speaking and soliloquy.  

 It’s beautiful, original, imaginative, and creative, and it resonates deep within the human heart. Just three evening performances remain at 7 p.m. on March 20, 21 & 22 in the Parker Poe Theater at Lincoln Academy, 81 Academy Hill Road, Newcastle.

Reservations by emailing info@heartwoodtheater.org or phoning 207-563-1373.  All adult tickets are $20, and students through college are $5, thanks to student ticket sponsors First National Wealth Management and Moody’s Diner.  Note: Lincoln Academy does not manage ticket sales.