An Iliad - Court Theatre

“★★★★… extraordinarily performed … a candidate for the best solo show in Chicago theater history.” – Chicago Tribune

“★★★★ … An Iliad is an unsettling triumph. It’s an echo of the past, a commentary on the present and an ominous warning for the future. It was timely in 2011. It’s even more so now. – Chicago Sun-Times

A timely and gripping retelling of Homer’s epic poem, An Iliad returns to Court’s stage, illuminating the human cost of conflict with breathtaking urgency. Timothy Edward Kane reprises his role as The Poet – the sole character in this one-person saga – who recounts a tale of war, hubris, and destruction that spirals across millennia and crashes into our present day. Experience the raw power of Kane’s performance in Court Theatre’s intimate Abelson Auditorium, and confront the necessity of the classics head-on.

Jason Huysman understudies the role of The Poet and will be featured in evening performances on Sunday, June 15 and Sunday, June 22; all other performances will feature Timothy Edward Kane.

DIGITAL PROGRAM

Photo of Timothy Edward Kane by Michael Brosilow.

Sponsored by

Lawrence E. Strickling and Sydney L. Hans

Sponsored by

Lise and Edward Spacapan

Sponsored by

The Charles Newell Production Fund

Production Team

Playwright
Lisa Peterson
Playwright
Denis O’Hare
Director
Charles Newell
Scenic Design
Todd Rosenthal
Costume Design
Rachel Anne Healy
Lighting Design
Keith Parham
Sound Design
André Pluess
Casting Director
Becca McCracken, CSA
Production Stage Manager
Kate Ocker

Cast

The Poet
Timothy Edward Kane
u/s The Poet
Jason Huysman

Videos

Photos

Production Photos

Articles and Interviews

“One of the Great[est] Performances…Ever in Chicago”

AN ILIAD is "captivating and chilling" and "more than a play" - find out why!

Learning Guide: An Iliad

Check out these resources for academics, enthusiasts, and educators to support your learning and viewing of AN ILIAD.

In Conversation: Playwrights Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare

Adaptors Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare turned a spontaneous idea into AN ILIAD. Learn how improvisation, urgency, and a shared passion for timeless stories transformed a classic into a modern theatrical force.

One and Many Iliads

AN ILIAD transforms Homer’s ancient epic into a hauntingly modern tale, blending timeless poetry with raw, improvised storytelling. Discover how a single performer channels centuries of war, memory, and myth in a bold reawakening of the oral tradition.

Reading Homer’s Iliad Today: An Interview With Scholar Glenn W. Most

This reflective article explores THE ILIAD through the eyes of renowned classicist Glen W. Most, tracing his personal, emotional, and scholarly journey with Homer’s epic.

The Homeric Question

Was Homer a single blind poet, a wandering storyteller, or merely a symbol of a poetic tradition spanning centuries? With archaeological clues, linguistic puzzles, and ancient gossip, the article uncovers the enduring enigma behind THE ILIAD and THE ODYSSEY.