Peace from Greece

Close to 2,400 years ago, the Greek playwright Aristophanes penned the anti-war comedy Lysistrata. In the play, women from opposing states unite to end war by refusing to have sex with their husbands until the men agree to stop fighting. Today, with millions worldwide wondering how to stop the proposed war in the Middle East, the power-to-the-people message of Lysistrata is being resurrected. The Lysistrata Project, conceived last month by two New York actresses, is an effort to raise awareness about peaceful conflict resolution by staging the play as many times as possible around the globe on Monday, March 3. At the time of this writing, the number of scheduled performances was more than 620 (in 38 countries) and increasing by the hour.

Several Sacramento-area theater companies plan to participate. Beyond the Proscenium Productions will stage a reading at 7 p.m. at Luna’s Café, 1414 16th Street. The Studio Theatre’s production will kick off at 8 p.m. at 1028 R Street. The Foothill Theatre Company’s version will begin at 7:30 p.m. with live music by Utah Phillips, Saul Rayo and others, followed by a reading of the play. That event will be at The Miner’s Foundry, 325 Spring Street in Nevada City. California Stage has signed on with a 7:30 p.m. performance at 1723 25th Street. Admission to all programs is by donation. Proceeds will benefit humanitarian aid organizations working for peace in the Middle East. Visit www.LysistrataProject.com for info.