How far would you go to get revenge?

For Medea, the title character in the upcoming July performances of Euripides’ ancient Greek tragedy, there is no limit in avenging her husbands betrayal.

“Medea” will be performed by the Heritage Theatre Group at 8 p.m. July 12-14 and 19-21 at Grand Rapids Community College’s Spectrum Theatre.

The production is a collaboration between Grand Valley State University and the Heritage Theatre Group, which received a grant from GVSU’s Center for Scholarly and Creative Excellence and the Grand Rapids Arts Council to help fund the show.

Diane Rayor of GVSU’s classics department translated the ancient Greek poetry and drama, and has worked with GVSU Theater Director Karen Libman for the last few years in creating this new translation.

“There are lots and lots of translations, no doubt,” Libman said. “Many of them are translations of ancient Greek, but you could not put them on stage. There are also translations that are more like adaptations. So, what we wanted to do was create translations of plays that could be true to the original but also be put on stage.”

The drama follows Madea, a princess who is the granddaughter of a God. After Medea falls in love with Jason, of Jason and the Argonauts, the pair are exiled for things done in Jason’s pursuit of the Golden Fleece. The play begins with the marriage of Medea and Jason, and the birth of their two sons in their home in Corinth. Though after a series of events that revolve around Jason’s betrayal of Medea, the princess is put on a war path, searching for the ultimate revenge.

Like most Greek plays, the production does include a chorus of the women of Corinth. The music for this production’s chorus is completely original by Todd Lewis.

“I believe people may attend for a number of reasons,” Libman said. “A lot of the actors are well known community actors; I think many people will come to see them perform. And I think theatre lovers, and people who love classical works will attend. I think it’s going to blow people away.”

Admission is $18 for adults, $14 for seniors, and $8 for students. For tickets, visit www.heritagetheatregr.org or by call (616) 951-4842.

[email protected]