Circuit Arts is joining a centuries old tradition next week with a rendition of the Iliad, an epic Greek poem that details the end of the Trojan War. 

The one-person show An Iliad, written by Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare, will open at the Grange Hall on May 30. Lagan Love will play the Poet, the singular character in the show, who has been tasked with telling the story of the Iliad since it was originally performed aloud in ancient Greek. The show is directed by Katherine Reid.

Mr. Love approached director Katherine Reid because of her interest in Greek mythology. — Jeanna Shepard

Mr. Love said he hopes the show provides a space for people to sit with the grief they hold surrounding conflict.

“We are surrounded by a lot of global news of conflict and tragedy,” he said. “I see a lot of people gripped with not knowing what to do.”

Mr. Love first brought the show to the Island two years ago for a program at Circuit Arts called Locals, which is a variety show where people introduce music, sketches and other forms of performance. There he presented the first scene of the show.

“Ever since, it’s been like I wanted to climb the rest of the mountain,” Mr. Love said.

Mr. Love approached Ms. Reid about directing the play in part because of her interest in Greek mythology. The two have worked on a number of shows together on Island. 

Ms. Reid said the one-person show forces the audience to grapple with the human cost of war.

“It’s so much about witnessing,” she said. “[The audience] become the soldiers, they become the mourners at the funerals. They become the witnesses of this story.”

The subject of war is personal for Mr. Love. His father is a Vietnam War veteran and the topic was always in the background when Mr. Love was growing up.

In preparation for the show, he asked his father about his experience.

“I asked if he would share his experiences with me,” Mr. Love said. “I was honored to be let in that way.”

Mr. Love’s father told his son stories about his time on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise and the loss of his best friend during the war.

Leandra Seward, the stage manager, said that communal grief in the show will particularly resonate with the Island because it is such an integrated community.

“We’re all so interwoven and connected...when one of us dies, we all know it, and we all feel it,” she said.

An Iliad runs May 30, 31 and June 1. For tickets, visit circuitarts.org.