Greek comedy still relevant

By Maryann Dakkak

The Committee for Worker's International has estimated that up to 30 million people in over 600 cities around the world hit the streets in protest against the impending war in Iraq. Two million protested in London alone. This war that our country is threatening to start has become an issue by which the people will not stand.

And neither will our school. Just last Thursday, President Paul Locatelli, S.J., was the keynote speaker at a peace vigil held in the Mission Church.

He, along with other faculty speakers and student speaker Rahima Saratore, spoke out against the war.

But there is also a non-traditional protest front taking place. Our theater department is now taking an active stance against the war in Iraq. Alpha Psi Omega (the theater honors society, headed by senior Sarah Grojean) has joined in the Lysistrata Project.

"The Lysistrata Project is important ... the arts, specifically theater in this case, can be an extremely powerful mouthpiece for messages of peace and social action, and as artists we have a responsibility to use our talents to better our piece of the world," Grojean said.

"Entertainment is a valuable and wonderful aspect of theater, but the Lysistrata Project allows the international theater community to come together in solidarity and say 'what we do is important. This is a cause we value. We value peace. And we believe in the power of the arts to accomplish such an expression.'"

To date, 739 play readings are scheduled in 42 countries and in all 50 U.S. states to voice opposition to the war on Iraq; those numbers increase hourly. Readings will raise money for charities working for peace and humanitarian aid in the Middle East.

"Lysistrata" tells the story of women from opposing states who unite to end a war by refusing to sleep with their men until they agree to lay down their swords.

Powerless in their society, with too many of their sons and husbands being slaughtered in battle, the women take the only tactic available to them: a sex strike. Not only is the play a strong statement but very entertaining as well.

This week, on Mar. 3, join in with this solidarity movement, and attend our own reading of "Lysistrata." The reading will be held in Fess Parker Theater at 7 p.m. The event will be followed by a talkback with both the actors and the Peace Action Committee.