Even King Zeus of Mt. Olympus had a gay fling: the legendary Ganymede, cupbearer to the Gods. Thousands of years after his first literary appearance, Ganymede will be on stage at the Suncoast Theatre reinterpreted as a new play by Dewey Davis-Thompson running February 16, 17, 18 and concurrent with Winter Pride Tampa Bay.  In this modern twist on an ancient drama queer Ganymede, closeted Pan, nymphomaniac Eos and jilted Hebe share drinks and gossip at Cafe of the Gods and in exile at Club Aquarius.
 
Performances of Ganymede, A Divine Comedy will run Friday through Sunday, February 16, 17 and 18 at Gypsy Productions’ Suncoast Theatre, 3000 34^th Street South, St. Petersburg.  Performances Friday and Saturday are at 8:00 PM.  The Sunday performance is a matinee at 1:30.  Tickets are $18 and can be reserved by calling the box office at 727-456-0500.
 
Playwright Dewey Davis-Thompson explains how ancient Greek gods and goddesses ended up on stage in Florida.  "Ganymede started as a short story that somehow escaped the page to reach the stage," said Davis-Thompson.  "I thought it would be fun to fiddle with the myths, playing with retellings of the ancient characters. Ganymede is just a juicy story: Zeus turned into an eagle and swept the boy off to Olympus and gave him immortality - as well as the royal scepter, if you catch my drift.  That story is great, and it is fun to explore these ancient but eternal characters."  Davis-Thompson's last play Lovers' Quorum was produced as part of a breast cancer research fund raiser in Sarasota.
 
The young and talented cast of Ganymede includes Jason Macumber (recently seen in Gypsy’s Psycho Beach Party) in the title role and Johnny Ryan (recently seen in Three Legged Greyhound at USF) as narrator Pan.  Diana Derek looks every bit the Greek Princess Hebe and Kelly Sardinas shines as Eos, sexy Goddess of the Dawn.  Spencer Wood plays Pollux, who has been sharing eternity with his twin Castor (Daniel Lancaster) since their famous trip as Argonauts.  Rounding out the cast are Eric Dawson as the Timelord Chronos, Elizabeth Brachman as the enigmatic Eris and Scott Suver as the well-fermented Bacchus.
 
Ganymede is directed by Ed Stevens, who was drawn to the play by the richness of the archetypal characters.  “There’s so much life in these vivid characters, and Dewey’s sparkling and witty dialogue – peppered throughout with sex and sensuality – makes the play a feast for the ears and the eyes.”  Stevens, who has an M.A. in Theatre Arts from San Diego State University and interned at La Jolla Playhouse and The Globe Theater, directs locally for Gulfport Community Players (Da and Wedding from Hell) and the Gorilla Theatre (Young Dramatists Project).
 
Some of the millennia-old names in the show have actually been in the news lately.  Ganymede is the largest moon in the solar system, orbiting Jupiter (Zeus) and Eris is the official name of the newly discovered dwarf planet beyond Pluto.  Ganymede was also used as a marketing personality, serving Budweiser to the Gods in advertisements throughout the 20th Century.

Trevor Keller and Gypsy Productions Inc. are graciously hosting this event and tickets can be purchased at the Gypsy Productions Inc. box office at the Suncoast Theatre or by calling 727-456-0500
 The Suncoast Theatre is located on the property of The Suncoast Resort at, 3000 34^th Street South, St. Petersburg. Advanced reservations for all performances are recommended! Tickets may be reserved by calling the Suncoast Theatre Box Office at 727-456-0500. Tickets are $18.00 with group rates available. 
 
F.M.I. visit www.gypsyproductions.org or www.clubganymede.com ALL ARE WELCOME!  State Law requires Photo ID, Handicap Accessible.