Mesa actress Kallen takes the lead in Greek comedy ‘Lysistrata’

Greek sex comedy “Lysistrata” opens Aug. 4 At stage left.

Ronin Theatre Co.

Starting Aug. 4, Ronin Theatre Co. presents eight performances of the Classic Greek comedy “Lysistrata” at the Stage Left Productions theater in Surprise.

Written by Aristophanes in 411 B.C. and originally performed in Athens, the story is about a woman’s unconventional plan to end the Peloponnesian War by denying men what they truly desire, sex, according to a release.

“Helen of Troy’s face may have launched a thousand ships,” director Dan Trombley said in the release, “but Lysistrata inspired countless ‘make love, not war’ stories” – including a TV episode of M*A*S*H, the musical comedy ‘Lysistrata Jones’ and Spike Lee’s film ‘CHI-RAQ.’”

The Ronin cast features Mesa resident Toni Kallen (Lysistrata) and Phoenix residents Antoinette Martin-Hanson (Myrrhine), Ashley Belle Vasquez (Calonice, woman), Jason Hall (Cinesias, congressman, ambassador 1) and Seth Scott (police chief, ambassador 2).

“Our lively adaptation is around 70 minutes and will be interspersed with live music and dancing,” Keath Hall, artistic director and fight choreographer, said in the release.

The crew includes Amanda Trombley (dramaturg), Birdie Halloway (stage manager), Bill Griffith (lighting designer), Katie Weir-Calles (production manager) and Nicole Thompson (technical director).

Tickets to Lysistrata are available at stageleftaz.com/specialevents.

The show runs Aug. 4-13 with four matinees and four evening performances.

The remainder of Ronin’s 2023 Season features the Arizona premiere of “Dracula in Tombstone” and “Twelfth Night” at the Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix.

Find out more on ronintheatre.com and Facebook @ronintheatreco.