15

SUNDAY

The gods of Olympus were raucous, hands-on deities who were usually no more mature or wise than the humans with whom they sported. And ancient Greeks, like audiences everywhere, enjoyed watching the mighty fall. In 1677, Racine reworked the ancient story of Hippolytus—son of a king of Athens, whose chastity offended the goddess of love—into Phèdre, placing Hippolytus’ stepmother center-stage. In Arts United of Washington’s spare staging, the queen cursed by Venus to fall hopelessly in love with her stepson is the one moping around in the lusty red dress. The real star of the production, however, is choreographer Melissa Saint Amour: As Venus, dancer Sylvana Christopher looks as if she jêtéed off the Parthenon to have her horny way with the guileless Greeks. The gods can be aggressive, so if you’re approached by a swan on Four Mile Run, better run like Hermes. The play starts at 3 p.m. (see City List for other dates) at Theatre on the Run, 3700 Four Mile Run, Arlington. $20. (202) 337-0660. (Janet Hopf)