The Lambert Acting Troupe of Lambert had staged a powerful show of Mary Zimmerman’s “Metamorphoses”, a modern adaptation of ancient myths which is a collection of ancient myths and legends told by the Roman poet Ovid. It is about mythological tales tracking the changing seasons and how accepting something is dictated by our choices, determining the kind of souls we become. The play was first debuted on stage in 2001, and has continued to bring beauty to modern-day storytelling
The most striking element of this production was the ingenious use of a live pool of water onstage, establishing a central element to the show. With five inches of water in the pool each night, the cast had to practice multiple times in order for the performance to look smooth. With the show starting late because of snow days, the troupe of dancers never got to rehearse with the pool until opening night; however, this talented group was still able to make it work.
Sophomore Aanya Jain featured as the daughter of King Midas, the Boat Rower, Spirit of the Tree and narrator of the show.
“Every scene is like its own separate little story. And we weave together water, dance, and music to really create this one entity. I know there are a million times where we have had to force ourselves, but I think everyone knew that. And it’s something we really learn, especially the live pool.
The water wasn’t just a backdrop; it was a challenge that added complexity to the show. The actors wore special shoes so as not to slip on stage. As Sophia Caceres, a junior who played Alcyone, Pandora and the narrator, said, “The water was a huge challenge, but it also made the show feel more alive. Each scene brought something new, and we all had to trust each other to make it work.”
The pool had to be drained and refilled every night, with the actors having to get used to the changing conditions of the water. “The pool presented its own challenges every day,” said Jain. “It was a balancing act getting the choreography right while making sure everyone stayed safe.”
Even without having the opportunity to rehearse in an almost run-through situation due to snow, the commitment and love of the cast for the show shone through. The audience was on the edge of their seats for the first scene alone, which culminates in the sad transformation of King Midas’s daughter into gold. “That was such a powerful cliffhanger, and we were all nervous but knew this would be the defining moment in the show,” Ceceres explained, who played King Midas.
“Metamorphoses” took the audience through many mythological tales; each scene was a different story to be told. How seamlessly the cast could change into these different stories, using the live pool in their actions, was no less than remarkable. The actors, stage crew and the director combined into one production that was timeless and yet fresh.
“This was a production where all of us came together, and when we saw the final product, it felt like everybody’s hard work paid off,” Jain said. “We had so many memorable moments throughout, from the first time we practiced with the pool to the final bow. It’s something I’ll always look back on.”
