myths

[Raise curtains, revealing the ancient Greek city of Thrace. Grecian citizens are dancing in their togas, tables are adorned with grapes and bread, and musicians play their lyres for the crowd.]
NARRATOR: The music from Thrace could be heard miles away from town, but one musician’s tune sang above all the melodies and rhythm from the city. [Enter ORPHEUS.] It was Orpheus, son of Apollo, who was celebrating his wedding to the lovely Eurydice, daughter of Apollo [Enter EURYDICE], who had fallen for Orpheus’ musical talent and noble heart.
[The citizens of Thrace danced in the night to the blissful sounds of Orpheus’s lyre.]
[EURYDICE spins into the center of attention, dancing in a dress of orange and brown that resembles the fall leaves upon the trees of Thrace.]
EURYDICE: [Twirling closer to Orpheus.] Orpheus, play my favorite song again!
ORPHEUS: [Sitting atop a tree overseeing the wedding.] Anything for my love! My music is better when I am with you!
NARRATOR: They were the happiest newlyweds of Thrace. Until the hunter Aristaeus arrived.
[Enter ARISTAEUS. He watches EURYDICE from afar and marvels at the beauty of her dance.]
[Later, EURYDICE goes with her bridesmaids to frolic in the forest. ORPHEUS notices them go, waves to her, and continues to play songs with his fellow men.]
[EURYDICE celebrates with her bridesmaids for some time. Finally, the bridesmaids transform back into forest spirits, and they disappear into the forest. EURYDICE begins to return.]
EURYDICE: [Humming to herself as she marveled at the beauty of the trees.]
[Enter the hunter, ARISTAEUS.]
ARISTAEUS: I’ve never seen such beauty as yours before.
EURYDICE: [Caught off-guard.] Who are you? Reveal yourself to me!
ARISTAEUS: It is I, Aristaeus son of Apollo, and Greece’s greatest hunter.
EURYDICE: [Eyebrows furrowed] What do you want, Aristaeus?
ARISTAEUS: I am going to take you as my bride! A hunter needs a beautiful bride.
EURYDICE: [Defiantly.] You cannot. I am married to Orpheus.
ARISTAEUS: I can provide more for you than just music. I can provide food and protection.
EURYDICE: His song is all I need!
[EURYDICE turns away. ARISTEUS attempts to grab her.]
NARRATOR: But Aristaeus wasn’t willing to take “no” for an answer. He lunged at Eurydice, who seized her chance to flee on foot. Yet Eurydice was far swifter than Aristaeus, and she outran him. Alas, when Eurydice finally stopped under a weeping willow to catch her breath, a venomous serpent was there waiting for her, and she was bitten. [EURYDICE falls dramatically.]
[Enter ORPHEUS from the opposite side.]
NARRATOR: Orpheus went searching for Eurydice when she did not return, and he found her lifeless. The newly-wed was utterly distraught, his grief was overwhelming! He mourned all night.
ORPHEUS: I cannot go on any longer without Eurydice! My life is as good as forfeit. If only I had one more chance to see Eurydice, then I would go even as far as the Underworld itself. Such an act of defiance against the gods – to see Eurydice again, it is the least I could do!
[ORPHEUS picks up his lyre.]
NARRATOR: So Orpheus descended down into the Underworld [dim lights, enter Charon and his rowboat], where he met the citizens of the land of the dead. He convinced Charon, the ferryman of the dead, to row him across the River Styx.
[ORPHEUS plays his lyre and steps into the boat. He sings a sorrowful song as the Charon rows him across the Styx. Enter CERBERUS, teeth gnashing, guarding the gates to the deep Underworld.]
NARRATOR: He then encountered the three headed beast, Cerberus, whose maws drooled with hunger. But when Orpheus played the most soothing tune, the beast was soon in a deep slumber. [CERBERUS sleeps.] Orpheus entered the hall of the god of the Underworld and encountered its ruler, Hades.
[ORPHEUS walks into the dining hall of the lord Hades. HADES sits at the end of a long table, the goddess of spring PERSEPHONE seated at the opposite side. Their night of dining on wine, pomegranates, olives, and semolina bread with tzatziki sauce is interrupted.]
HADES: [Standing, outraged.] Who are you? No living spirit is allowed to enter into my realm!
ORPHEUS: [Stepping forward, tossing his hand across.] It is I, Orpheus! I have come to plead for Eurydice. It was not her time to go. Her death was an accident, and I am here to return her spirit to the World of the Living.
HADES: [Shaking his head] Eurydice belongs to me. She died, and she will remain in the Underworld for eternity. You will see her again when your spirit arrives – without your body.
ORPHEUS: But our love was special. Our lives were just beginning. You would not know!
HADES: [Furiously tossing his chalice aside, his eyes ablaze.] You are not even a god. You –
PERSEPHONE: [Gently lifting her hand against Hades] Young man, you will never change Hades’ mind. This is his reign. You must move on without your Eurydice.
[ORPHEUS weeps and falls to his knees. He picks up his lyre and plays a song in memory of Eurydice. It is at first filled with hope and wonder, and then it turns to despair. HADES and PERSEPHONE look on in awe. Tears pour from PERSEPHONE’s eyes as the song reminds her of the love and joy she once felt.]
PERSEPHONE: [Crying] His music is so evocative. Though he is mortal, his gift is special. Hades, allow Orpheus to reunite with his wife! No living heart should be this burdened. He should leave with his beloved.
HADES: [Reluctantly. Glaring at ORPHEUS.] If my wife asks for it, then I will grant it. Orpheus, you may take Eurydice back with you to the as you ascend to the World of the Living, but under one condition! You must not look upon Eurydice, who will travel behind you. If your heart ever wavers and you so much as glance at her, then her soul will be locked within the Underworld eternally, and you shall never see her again – even unto death.
ORPHEUS: [Stopping his music on the lyre.] I accept your conditions!
HADES: [Smiling challengingly.] Then be off with you. Remember, don’t turn around even once!
PERSEPHONE: [Frowning in worry.] Be steadfast, young man.
[ORPHEUS turns and walks out of the dining hall. He continues to walk, lyre in hand, with his eyes bold with courage.]
NARRATOR: So Orpheus, with a strong heart, began to travel upwards to the World of the Living. He climbed up many stairs for many hours, but he couldn’t hear Eurydice behind him.
NARRATOR: Past the deathly caves he went, and he passed the sleeping beast Cerberus. However, he still could not hear Eurydice.
[ORPHEUS’ eyes become less determined. A frown forms on his face.]
NARRATOR: Orpheus began to wonder if Eurydice was truly behind him or if this was a trick by Hades to send him away. He could not leave without Eurydice. Yet he knew that if he broke his promise to Hades, she would be lost forever.
[Enter CHARON and boat. ORPHEUS steps onto the boat and leaves enough space for Eurydice. ORPHEUS and CHARON are visible in the spotlight; the back of the boat is not. ORPHEUS closes his eyes, yet he hears nothing and does not feel the shake of the boat. CHARON begins to row. As ORPHEUS reaches the other side, he steps off, sobbing.]
NARRATOR: When Orpheus finally was about to take the last steps to return to the world of the living, he took a brief pause. His heart was in tatters with longing. He listened closely for Eurydice’s footsteps, or her breathing. He heard neither. He did not want to leave the Underworld alone, so he tilted his head and took the faintest, faintest peek behind him.
[Show spotlight upon EURYDICE, who has been present. Her eyes widen with myriad emotions. Eyes tearing, she reaches out her arms and smiles.]
EURYDICE: [Drifting back away from Eurydice, mouthing the words as no sound comes out of her] I love you forever, Orpheus.
NARRATOR: The lovers shared one last second of each other’s presence, but Hades’ deal was final.
ORPHEUS: [Scrambling to reach his lover] Eurydice, wait!
[EURYDICE suddenly falls through the earth into the depths of the Underworld forever. ORPHEUS lunges for her but grabs nothing in his hands.]
ORPHEUS: [Scratching at the rock of the Underworld] No! [Tearing at his hair foolishly.]

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