Agamemnon and His Daughters is exceptional, most impressively because Kenneth Cavander masterfully blends 6 plays from 3 Greek tragedians – Aischylos, Euripides and Sophokles -- into a single epic that succeeds beautifully.

The cycle of plays which comprise Agamemnon and His Daughters include Agamemnon by Aischylos; Iphigeneia at Aulis and Iphigeneia in Tauris by Euripides; and the Elektra story as told by Sophokles, Aischylos, and Euripides. Cavander’s adaptation combines all parts of the legend that deal with King Agamemnon and his three daughters Iphigeneia, Elektra and Chrysothemis – over 20 years of the family dynasty, the rulers of Argos.

Beginning at the launch of the Trojan War, the play starts with Euripides’ Iphigeneia at Aulis and the sacrifice of Agamemnon’s daughter, Iphigeneia, and follows the family through revenge, suffering and death … to joy and redemption.

"Many people equate Greek drama with woman wailing in unison, endless speeches, tangled relationships and stilted dialogue. What is often lost is the sense that these plays were written for an audience that expected what every audience expects from theatre: spectacle, excitement and characters that reflect their own lives," said Cavander. "When you blow away the cobwebs of academic interpretation, you discover plays that are direct and emotionally explosive with many flashes of wit and humor."

Cavander said, "I hope that this adaptation will give its audiences a new glimpse into Greek drama." He wish was wonderfully fulfilled. This adaptation uses concise, elegant language to let the humanity of the characters and the dramatic strength and wit of the stories speak for themselves, and the various stories mesh seamlessly to relate the story of a beleaguered family subject to the demands of their gods and human nature.

Though there were many events, according to legend, that caused the Trojan War, Helen’s abduction from Sparta by Paris was the inciting incident. The goddess Artemis and her brother Apollo sided with Troy during the war. As this story begins, Artemis stalls the Greek army at the port Aulis, preventing the start of the Trojan War.

Agamemnon’s troops are impatient to set sail to battle Troy, but the sea is dead. The goddess Artemis, however, has made it known through her priests that the only way she will allow the ocean winds to blow is that Agamemnon must sacrifice his daughter Iphigeneia. Feeling that he has no choice politically, Agamemnon, and, in spite the pleadings of his wife Klytaimestra and others, he does kill his daughter.

The winds immediately begin to blow, and the Argos fleet departs for Troy, and the theme of the plays reflected in Agamemnon and His Daughters occurs over and over again: courage, ambition, sacrifice, revenge, retribution and forgiveness.

The Artistic Director, Molly Smith, said, "The love affairs and family feuds down through the generations – the inter-relatedness of it all – well, it’s always reminded me of a huge soap opera. … With this production, we plan to bring this vigor and energy into our theater!"

As in life, there are highs and lows, scenes of great tragedy, and victory, and, in between it all, some levity, some smiles, even chuckles that somehow deepens the tragic scenes. For example, Agamemnon, portrayed by Jack Willis, appeals to the audience from time to time helplessly from the quagmire of his family problems in perplexity like many contemporary sit-com fathers. And, Achilles, as portrayed by Ezra Knight, is a sort of a rock star whose fans, the Chorus, fawn over him and swoons when he gives one of them a trinket as a souvenir.

The only "rocky" spot in the play is Act Two, Scene One, where it seems a few "lumps" remain after the blending of the various plays. It’s choppy and rushed spots stand out in relation to the other parts of the play in which Cavander seems relaxed and expansive in the exploration of his characters’ wit and character. Nevertheless, this does not affect the emotional impact of that scene, nor does it throw the play off its stride.

Jack Willis, who portrayed Agamemnon, was last seen at the Kennedy Center in Art with Judd Hirsch and Cotter Smith. He has appeared in over 150 productions at theaters across the United States. His TV and film credits include "Law and Order," "Dallas," The Talented Mr. Ripley, The Cradle Will Rock, Problem Child and Leaving the Post.

Obie Award-winning actress Gail Grate, portrays Klytaimestra. She has appeared on many stages, including as Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion at the Kennedy Center, and in The Kentucky Cycle starring Stacy Keach on Broadway.

Agamemnon’s daughters are portrayed by Marta Ann Lastufka, Natascia Diaz, and Maia DeSanti as Iphigeneia, Elektra, and Chrysothemis. Paolo Andino portrays Agamemnon’s son Orestes.

Two outstanding supporting actors are Ezra Knight as Achilles, and Tony Award nominee and winner of the Outer Critics, Drama League, Drama Desk and EW Theatre Awards winner Tsidii LeLoka, who portrays Kassandra.

Agamemnon and His Daughters will be performed Tuesday, Wednesdays and Sundays at 7:30 pm; Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm; with Saturday matinees at 2:30 pm, Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm, and selected Tuesday and Wednesday matinees at 12:00 noon. Discounted tickets are available for students, groups, persons with disabilities and senior citizens. Contact Arena Stage at 202/554-9066, or online at www.arenastage.org.

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