theatre KAPOW returns to the Greeks in its 19th season fall production with Iphigenia in Aulis by Euripides, transadapted by Anne Washburn at the BNH Stage in Concord, NH September 18 – 20, 2026.
Live musicians perform original songs with a chorus of contemporary dancers and singers. It’s a Greek classic unlike any you’ve seen before. In this dynamic imagining of Euripides’ rarely-seen final play, playwright Anne Washburn renders an ancient story to return us to a world where a father is challenged to sacrifice his daughter to appease the gods. An angry nation seethes and a great army thirsts for blood at Troy, but their battle ships are stuck in Aulis. For General Agamemnon, there’s one way forward to glory: kill your daughter, Iphigenia. Only then will the gods be satisfied and ignite the winds. Iphigenia and her mother, Clytemnestra, arrive in Aulis to a plan already in motion – The war can’t end unless it begins.
“The world of Greek mythology and drama has always been of interest to theatre KAPOW,” said Artistic Director, Matt Cahoon. tKAPOW has produced several classic Greek plays and contemporary plays inspired them. He added, “It is exciting that the recent film version of The Odyssey has renewed interest in similar ancient stories.”
Cahoon also noted that he appreciated Hollywood’s recent purposeful turn away from CGI and other special effects in favor of types of storytelling seen in theatre for millenia. “In a world in which it is increasingly difficult to tell the difference between what is real and what is artificially generated, I think the theatre offers the opportunity to experience stories in a truly visceral way. You breathe the same air as the actors, feel the heat of the lights, and feel the vibration of powerful voices in your chest. With a couple of flashlights, some umbrellas to project objects on, and the power of your own imagination, we can transport you to the Greek isles! That’s what I love about watching theatre and that’s also the type of theatre I love to make.”
Collaboration is a key element in the creation of theatre KAPOW’s work. For Iphigenia in Aulis, they have again collaborated with New Hampshire native composer and music director Jake Hudgins, and choreographer Lorraine Chapman. Both worked on past productions with tKAPOW including The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood on 2019, and The Boyg by AJ Ditty in 2022.
The cast features company members Peter Josephson and Rachael Chapin Longo as Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, and Samantha Griffin in the title role of Iphigenia. The chorus of multi-talented performers includes Samantha Autumn, Tracey Hickey, Olivia Krick, and Alex Picard. Iphigenia in Aulis is stage-managed by company member Carey Cahoon, lighting design is by longtime collaborator Tayva Young, and costume design is by Barbara Holbrook.
There will be a post show discussion after the Saturday September 19 matinee performance focused on adaptation of classic stories in modern literature and film. ASL Interpretation will be available at the Sunday, September 20 matinee performance at 2:00 pm at the BNH Stage in Concord, NH.
Performances of Iphigenia in Aulis are September 18 at 7:30pm and September 19 and 20 at 2:00pm at the BNH Stage in Concord, NH. tKAPOW’s series sponsor is Saint Mary’s Bank.
Photos by Matthew Lomanno.
