Theater Review - From the
front row
On the Virginity of Astronauts
by Raymond Luczak
Every year at the Minnesota
Fringe Festival, there are always a number of shows with intriguing
titles and premises. This one, The Virginity of Astronauts, attracted
my attention, because some of its performers have disabilities. Naturally,
I had to ask the show’s director and writer Daniel P. Reiva
some questions.
Access Press: How did you
get involved with the disability community, at least enough to hire
four disabled performers in your show?
Daniel P. Reiva: All the performers
in my show are volunteers. I have been working with performers who
have disabilities since college. When I cast plays, I cast a wide
net for auditions and I seek the best performer for a part. Over
the years, I happen to have had many actors who have disabilities,
but they have been selected because of their talent. Also, I have
been fortunate to be able to do workshops with Anodyne Arts and often
conduct my rehearsals at their location. I have also been involved
with Artists With Disabilities Association (AWDA) for the past two
years, which involves an incredible opportunity to network and work
with other artists. AWDA has been also kind enough to provide me
with a small grant to help finance the production.
AP: The Virginity of
Astronauts is an odd title. Can you tell me what it’s about?
What prompted you to write it?
Reiva: The title is from a
book about NASA policies on astronaut sexuality. I applied this title
to the play Ion by Euripedes, a 21st Century update on the story.
The Greek name “Ion” is
the same word we use for sub-atomic particles (ion). But in Greek
mythology, Ion was the result of Apollo’s rape of Ion’s
mother. Other ancient myths are wrapped around this story. In addition
to poetry, drama and comedy, original music has been developed by
various artists for the show.
AP: What do you hope that
audiences seeing the show would get out of it?
Reiva: First, I hope
that audiences enjoy the show and the many different talents that
are showcased in it. Second, I hope audiences will see the cast as
a reflection of the community as they translate this ancient story
to a modern audience. As with ancient Greek drama, the play is a
theater of humankind, invoking ancient rituals and imaging futuristic
fantasies to express deeply held beliefs about what aspects of identity
and consciousness can survive in the universe. More information about
the show can be found at the Minnesota Fringe Festival’s website
(fringe festival.org).
AP: Any last words on
disability, theater, or whatever’s close
to your heart?
Reiva: My cast members, with
or without disability, comprise a reflection of society and give
the performance a cultural credibility. It is a play about both the
ancient Greek mythology and the mythologies being created today by
modern civilization.
AP: Thank you for your
time, and good luck with your show! ![end of story bullet]()
Editor’s note: Access Press is pleased to have author and playwright
Raymond Luczak as a regular theater reviewer. Mr. Luczak www.raymondluczak.com will
be reviewing an ASL-interpreted plays the heading “From
the front row.”
