The tales of old are made new again at the Bonstelle Theatre. Ovid's ancient stories make up the play Metamorphoses. Metamorphoses will be performing Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. January 21, 22, 28 & 29, Sundays at 2 p.m. January 23 & 30.

Ovid finished his collection of Greek Myths around 8 A.D. in an attempt to tell the history of the world. In total, there were 250 stories in Ovid's epic poem of which playwright and original director Mary Zimmerman chose eight. Zimmerman's Tony award-winning Metamorphoses is based on the David R. Slavitt translation from the original Latin of Ovid's collection. In March of 2002, Zimmerman opened the innovative Metamorphoses at Circle in the Square Theatre in New York. One of the innovations was a pool of water that occupied the stage.

The Bonstelle production has minimized the water, but tells the myths of Ovid in a new light. Stories included are: the tale of Midas and his golden touch; the tragic love of Alcyone and Ceyx; Erysichton's great hunger; Orpheus and Eurydice and a love lost; Pomona and Vertumnus and a love found; Myrrha and her father; Phaeton and the sun god's chariot; Eros and Psyche and a strong desire; and Baucis and Philemon and the generosity of man.

Director David Magidson teaches directing and playwrighting at Wayne State University. He has directed over eighty plays for fifteen different theatres, including the Attic Theatre and Jewish Ensemble Theatre in the Detroit area. Last year Dr. Magidson directed the award winning Glengarry Glen Ross at the Hilberry Theatre.

The cast includes Gregory Harris (Dearborn) as Erysichton and others, Will Robb (St. Clair Shores) as Midas and others, Chin Yang (Warren) as Orpheus and others, Frank Sawa (Warren) as Phaeton and others, Brishen Miller (Kalamazoo) as Vertumnus and others, Janeé Smith (Detroit) as Alcyone and others, Beth Ann Gibaud (Garden City) as Therapist and others, Molly McMahon (Ypsilanti) as Eurydice and others, Danielle Cochrane (Garden City) as Myrrha and others and Katie Clark (Livonia) as Aphrodite and others. Scenic design is by Stephen Landon, costume design by Federica Garcia, and sound design by Christopher Kulesa (Detroit).

The Bonstelle Theatre is located at 3424 Woodward Avenue, one block south of Mack Avenue at Eliot. The box office at the Bonstelle Theatre is open ONLY one hour prior to each performance. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Hilberry Theatre box office at 4743 Cass Avenue. Tickets are $12 Regular; $9 for students, senior citizens, WSU faculty and staff, and Alumni Association Members. For more information or to order tickets for Metamorphoses, call the Bonstelle Theatre box office at (313) 577-2960.