A modern Odysseus journeys from war-torn homeland in Anon(ymous)

Who
The ASU Herberger College MainStage presents 
Anon(ymous), a poetic story of Anon, a young boy who is separated from his family as he flees to America from a war-torn land. Loosely based on Homer’s Odyssey, Anon encounters Calista (Calypso), Mr. Zyclo (Cyclops) and Serza (Siren) among other Homeric characters on his long journey to find his mother Nemasani (Penelope).

What
Anon(ymous) explores contemporary themes such as border crossings, war, illegal immigration, sweatshops and the struggle to find one’s identity in a new land.

“Naomi Iizuka deliberately leaves the cultural identity of Anon ambiguous,” says Rachel Bowditch, the play’s director and associate professor at the ASU Herberger College School of Theatre and Film. “He could come from anywhere, any country facing upheaval.” 

Nonetheless, the international cast and crew of the MainStage production in some ways encapsulates the themes of the piece. The cast and designers speak seven different languages and have family roots that stem from Croatia, Malawi, South Africa, Mexico, Hungary, South Korea, Germany and the Philippines.

“This brings a sense of personal biography into the work,” Bowditch says. “The actor playing Anon, Sime Kosta, comes from Croatia and has intimate memories of the war there.” Documentary footage used in the production shows images from the Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian conflicts of the 1990s. 

Where
Paul V. Galvin Playhouse, 51 E. 10th St., ASU Tempe campus

When
Nov. 21–22 & Dec. 4–6, 7:30 p.m.; Nov, 23 & Dec. 7, 2 p.m.

Cost
$7–$22; Receive half-priced tickets on the First Friday of any MainStage season production. ASU faculty and staff get two-for-one on all full-priced MainStage performances.

Public Contact
Herberger College box office, 
480.965.6447
School of Theatre and Film. 480.965.5337
http://mainstage.asu.edu

The School of Theatre and Film in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University provides a comprehensive range of courses in performance and directing; design and production; new work development; theatre and performance studies; film; and theatre for youth. Its Theatre for Youth program is nationally ranked in the top three and the dramatic writing/playwriting program is ranked 15th among public institutions by U.S.News & World Report. To learn more about the School of Theatre and Film, visit theatrefilm.asu.edu.

Media Contact:
Laurie A. Trotta Valenti
ASU Herberger College
School of Theatre and Film
480.965.3381
laurie.trotta@asu.edu