Io: a myth about you
By Monika Bustamante*
Directed by Elena Araoz
When money and fame guarantee you worship, where do the real gods go?
The god of the streets captures a savior with a secret and a mistress with no memory -- but who's the real prisoner here? Part myth, part mockery, part modern-day morality play, Io will remind you of the distinct joys of being mortal.
Shrewd Productions presented this exciting new foray into heroic tales, vengeance, decadence, salvation, forgiveness, and rock & roll at the Vortex in 2007. The world premiere by Founder Monika Bustamante garnered rave reviews and 4 Austin Critics Table nominations, including Best Production of a Musical.
Cast
Io - T. Lynn Mikeska
Zell - Aaron Alexander
Theo - Jude Hickey**
Glenn - Gina Houston*
Hera - Andrea Skola
Appollonia - Shannon Grounds
Art - Jason Hays
Sherm - Brock England
SCYW - Kathleen Fletcher
Ensemble - Anne Hulsman, Ashley Edwards, Jerry Joe Benson
Production Crew
Director - Elena Araoz
Production Manager - Melissa Livingston
Set Designer - Ann Marie Gordon
Costume Designer - Pam Friday
Lighting Designer - Jennifer Rogers
Original Score - T. Lynn Mikeska and Adam Sultan
*Award Nominated - **Award Winning
Photos by Bret Brookshire
"There are some performances, some moments, that should absolutely invigorate anyone, artist or audience, involved in Austin theater. "Io: A Myth About You" is crammed to overflowing with them...From Elena Araoz's direction that wrings out passion and comedy from a superb ensemble cast to Ann Marie Goron's creative junkyard set to the rocking live music written by T. Lynn Mikeska and Adam Sultan, every piece meshes together for a sum that's almost better than its parts."
- Joey Seiler - Austin American Stateman
"At times funny, disturbing, beautiful, tender, and, above all, captivating, Io: a myth about you is a top-notch production that rages about like a rough sea. Between the solid music numbers, the intense confrontations, the human moments, and the meanings of modernization, Io offers a lot to challenge you, and the journey is certainly worth taking."
- Avimaan Syam - Chronicle - Full Review