The Gospel at Colonus

by Lee Breuer

Book Overview

"I've been in a lot of shows in my life, and I've thought a lot of 'em were pretty good, but this is a masterpiece." -Morgan Freeman

"An ancient drama explodes into a hand-clapping, soul-stirring gospel musical." -Chicago Tribune

"One of the most marvelous shows the decade... Colonus is a triumph of reconciliation, bringing together black and white, pagan and Christian, ancient and modern in a sunburst of joy that seems to touch the secret heart of civilization itself." -Jack Kroll, Newsweek

Writing at the end of his own long life, in Oedipus at Colonus Sophocles depicted his doomed hero's final hours; at the moment of his death the aged Oedipus is free at last. Envisioning this rarely performed meditation on mortality as a rousing service in a black church, Lee Breuer has created a remarkable text based on Robert Fitzgerald's splendid translation. Rearranging, simplifying, cutting here and enhancing there, Breuer has above all honored the spirit and the poetry of Sophocles's lovely work, giving it a new life in this time and place.

Inspired by the joyous faith at the heart of African-American Christianity, Breuer and composer Bob Telson have turned a momentary wish of Sophocles' chorus into a central desire of Oedipus himself. "I wish the wind would lift me," he sings, "so I could look with the eyes of the angels." The fundamental action of The Gospel of Colonus is to "lift him up" - at the hour of Oedipus' death to celebrate his life, to journey through grief to triumphal resurrection. "Man," says lead actor Morgan Freeman, "this is what theatre is all about."

Lee Breuer is a founding member of the acclaimed avant-garde company Mabou Mines. He has written and directed many groundbreaking works for theatre including a trilogy of "Animations," A Prelude to Death in Venice and Haji. Sister Suzie Cinema, a cinema collection of his poems and performances, was previously published by TCG.

Bob Telson's recent projects include collaborating with Breuer on The Warrior Ant and composing the score for the film Bagdad Caf eacute;.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B000WT8O3Y
• ISBN13: 9780930452940
• Release Date: January 1993
• Publisher: Theatre Communications Group
• Length: 64 Pages
• Weight: 0.29 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.3" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

I Want the Video!

I want the tape as well! Saw it on PBS and like the rest of the reviewers can't find it any where. HELP!

Wonderfully orchestrated play

This play has been one that will not be easily forgotten. A really good play for all to see. I am searching really hard to find the video/disc. The soundtrack to it is great but seeing would put me there with the orginial cast especially the narrator and performers. Please email me and tell me how to acquire one. Great and wonderful play.

PBS- Hear our plea!

Yes, this video performance must be re-released! How important is this production to me: 1987 -saw this live seven times! 1997- took 15 people to see the 10th Anniversary show! Have the soundtrack on vinyl, cassette and DVD. A good friend GAVE me a copy of the PBS performance (still in excellent condition). Here's a production that is more than just creative staging. It's a life lesson about forgiveness and redemption.

Want the TAPE!!!

The Gospel of Colonus "Greatest Performances" on video IS the BEST performances I have ever seen. I have searched HI and LOW for the video and still no luck. It has to be away to get this video!!! All I have is the PBS version (shown in 1985)and you can imagine how it is now. (sad face) But I recommend that EVERYONE see this performance. The story of Oedipus transformed into a gospel play that will send shivers up your spine! As you look at the video, you will forget where you are at the moment and think that you are there. I am sure the book is great, but the PLAY is AWESOME!!! I believe the play is MUCH better than the book because you can live it an feel what each character is feeling. THEY NEED TO PRINT THE MOVIE!!! WE NEED BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!!!

A memory without pain...

Of course everybody knows the Oedipus myth, it's like something out of a Jerry Springer show {grin}. But what happened afterwards? This adaptation of Sophocles' OEDIPUS AT COLONUS by Lee Breuer retains the spirit of the Greek playwright's reflections upon death, while giving it a baptism into the African-American church. But it is Bob Telson's gospel/blues-inflected songs (performed by the Soul Stirrers, Clarence Fountain and the Blind Boys of Alabama, among others) on the cast album (not included here, this is just a paperback, the text of the play) that make this 'Gospel' experience what it is....It only had a short run on Broadway in the 1980's, yet the memories will reverberate long afterwards...Be sure to get the cast CD for maximum enjoyment......Pity the GREAT PERFORMANCES video is out of print...