'Homer's Odyssey' a journey worth watching

“The Odyssey” is some 2,800 years old but Glenn Hergenhahn-Zhao’s “Homer’s Odyssey,” written for this summer’s series at Bellingham’s Sylvia Center for the Arts, is very 21st century. Its gods, looking down on mortals and interceding in their affairs, are helpful and hindering and offering commentary throughout.

The tale of Odysseus’ ten year voyage home to Ithaca and his wife Penelope, an epic poem, is the second oldest piece of western literature, sequel to Homer’s “Iliad.”

The play opens with the title character (Chris Cariker, in a Herculean role, on stage almost every scene) 20 years out on his quest, his fleet of ships gone, all but a handful of his crew dead, not quite defeated by Cyclops, Sirens and Poseidon, but totally exhausted and holding only a shred of hope that he will get back to Penelope (Akilah Williams), his patiently waiting wife.

Director Ashley Albertson’s primarily young cast revolves around Cariker. He is up for the task of playing the weary, heroic warrior, who is often beaten but never defeated.

This equal parts drama and comedy doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Aaron Ussery is superb, bringing all of today’s youthful sensibilities to his role as Hermes, the trickster god of travelers. He is sly, ironic, self-aware as only a Twitter-age, selfie taking young actor can be. His use of his hands, pointing with his fingers, is an effortless 21st century gesture the gods never contemplated.

The entire cast, gods, family members and the ensemble, play their parts with skill as well as enthusiasm on the simple set. They are dressed as church high school biblical characters and some of them need to better project their voices, but all are totally into supporting, challenging and failing Odysseus as he journeys back to his true love.

Albertson’s direction is strong. The cast moves through numerous scenes, chapters in this epic tale, till snap, the final curtain.

Go see Idiom Theatre’ s “Homer’s Odyssey,” closing Saturday. It is one of Sylvia Center’s 2019 Summer Rep offerings, “a season based on five plays of Ancient Greece, presented in contemporary versions that are funny, surprising, and unexpected.”

Don’t disappoint the gods. Journey up to Bellingham this week for one of the three evening performances. Information: https://sylviacenterforthearts.org/