Antigone, 1865
The classic Greek tragedy by Sophocles is moved to the fictional Fort Thebes at the end of the U.S. Civil War. The new fort commander, Col. Creon, proclaims that one of Antigone's brothers, loyal to the Union, will be buried a hero. Her other brother, loyal to the South, will be left unburied. Anyone defying these orders will be shot by a firing squad. Fierce, yet calmly determined, Antigone tries to provide a decent burial for her "traitorous" brother. When she is caught, Creon sentences her to death. But other soldiers, an old fortune-teller, and even his own son, Haemon, who loves Antigone, plead and warn Creon that his edict is against the will of God. Creon persists and tragedy upon tragedy heap themselves upon all involved. This powerful story, with its updated time, place and language, will appeal to modern audiences.