Every once in awhile, a play comes along that really makes you think. 
As I watched SFCC's production of Antigone last night, it really made 
me think.  Specifically, it made me think, "You have GOT to be 
kidding....."

Now, admittedly, I'm not an expert on Greek drama, but I'm almost 
positive that Sophocles did not originally set the play in the year 
2029 in "Thebes, an ultra-advanced techno-society located in an arid 
region of Greece."  Yes, that's an actual quote from the program, and 
it's a good thing they told me, because otherwise I really might have 
confused the place with ancient Greece, what with all the sitting on 
plain rocks and fighting with swords that was going on.  In fact, the 
only futuristic things about the play were the disjointed video clips 
and the fact that everyone's costume had the official Starfleet 
insignia on it.  I assume the whole alleged futuristic setting was 
simply a practical joke played by the director on the masses of 
students who were there only because they had to write papers about 
the play.  ("This play was very good.  It was set in the future.  I 
liked Creon as Captain Kirk.  He was very good.......")

As far as the play itself goes, it wasn't bad.  It wasn't good 
either.....it was just sort of....there.  Although there were a few 
bright spots.  I knew Loren Omer would be fabulous as Antigone--the 
tragic heroine who gets to be dressed up like Jana of the Jungle--and 
she indeed was.  There were a couple other good performances, too.
Nolan Carey did a nice job as Haemon, and Creon was played pretty 
well by Theodore Lochwyn ("...who appears courtesy of Actors' Equity, 
because he figured out that teaching community college is a WAY 
cushier job than acting....."), although Omer pretty much steals the 
show, at least for the parts she is onstage for.

There were a couple other performances that weren't bad, and then 
there were some that were.  Antigone's sister Ismene was played by a 
minimally-talented sorority girl with a very lovely stomach area, 
which God knows we could see all of.  (Note to director:  Adding some 
'Baywatch' to a Greek tragedy?  What a *fabulous* way to have people 
take your play seriously!  Really!)  Based on her shapely and 
prominent ass region, I assume she was this Jennifer Lopez person I 
keep hearing about.  Steven Catt was rather funny as the bumbling, 
inept Guard, which would be fine if this were a Mel Brooks movie and 
not a GREEK TRAGEDY.  I don't blame him; that sort of thing falls 
squarely on the shoulders of the director.

The sage council/chorus wasn't too bad either.  Taken together, I'd 
say they were about average, but they certainly did an acceptable 
job.  Kristoffer Infante also did a very nice job as Teiresias.

As for the other aspects of the play......

The set was rather minimal, but it worked just fine.  The costumes 
were very much a mixed bag.  Creon's costume was very nice, as were 
some of the others.  Antigone's costume looked like some sort of 
weird golden nightgown, and Ismene's costume was exactly what she 
would wear if she were a Juggy Dancer on The Man Show.  And let's not 
forget the costumes worn by the chorus......all of which were 
thoughtfully constructed so the audience could tell at a glance which 
chorus members had a penis.

All in all, I'd say this show gets 1 1/2 out of 4 stars.  If you like 
Greek tragedy, it's possible to stay focused on the story, despite 
all the distractions that get thrown at you.  There are a few 
excellent performances, and most of the cast are at least competent.
Tonight is the last performance, so if you're really hard up for 
something to do, you might want to give it a try.

-john