Anon(ymous)
A Modern Retelling of The Odyssey
by Naomi Iizuka
February 16-18 and 23-25 at 7:30pm
The University of Memphis will begin the new year with Naomi Iizuka's Anon(ymous), a modern retelling of Homer's The Odyssey. Anon(ymous) reimagines the character of Odysseus as an anonymous American immigrant searching for a new home. Shows run February 16-18, and 23-25 at 7:30pm Thursday-Saturday.
Separated from his mother, a young refugee called Anon journeys through the United States, encountering a wide variety of people – some kind, some dangerous and cruel – as he searches for his family. From a sinister one-eyed butcher to beguiling barflies to a sweatshop, Anon must navigate through a chaotic, ever-changing landscape in this captivating adaptation of Homer's Odyssey.
Directed by third-year MFA directing student Jazmin Miller, Anon(ymous) features a diverse ensemble cast. Freshman musical theatre student Jorge Guaman plays the title role of Anon. In the role of Nemasani, Anon's mother, is sophomore Amy Friedlander (Measure for Measure). Playing Naja, a goddess who likes to surf, is Daneka Norfleet (Empires of Eternal Void), and Blake Currie (Measure for Measure) plays the street-smart African immigrant Pascal.Director: JAZMIN MILLER
Scenic Designer: KEENAN MINOGUE
Technical Director: LIV WITKOWSKI
Musical Director: DENNIS WHITEHEAD DARLING
Costume Designer: DEANNA ROWE
Sound Designer: JO SANBURG
Stage Manager: RAVYN MEADOR WARD
Light Designer: ELIZABETH TATECAST
Anon: JORGE GUAMAN
Nemasani: AMY FRIEDLANDER
Naja: DANEKA NORFLEET
Pascal: BLAKE CURRIE
Mr. Yuri Mackus, Strygal/Strygal Ghost: STEVEN SULLIVAN
Nasreen, Belen, Sewing Lady: MIRANDA TONKIN
Ritu, Serza, Sewing Lady: EMILY MCCORMICK
Ali, Ignacio: MATT NELSON
Senator Lauis, Mr. Zylco, Nice American Father: LOGAN BERNARD
Calista, Nice American Daughter: BRITTNI TAYLOR RHODES
Helen Lauis, Pet Bird, Nice American Mother: RACHEL THOMAS
Sewing Lady 1: BRIANNA ROCHE
Sewing Lady 2: JASMINE ROBERTSON
Sewing Lady 3: MOLLYE MCDANIEL
Lone Barfly: NAIVELL STEIB