Valley high school thespians invite audiences on a slightly less-than-epic journey as they perform a condensed version of Homer’s Odyssey Feb. 6-9.

“Since the Odyssey is 24 books, the script leaves a lot out, but it presents the story nicely” said the show’s director, Mount Si drama teacher Kim Snavely. “It’s about an hour and 20 minutes long, and we cram as much in as we can.”

Audiences will see a speedy version of the ancient Greek tale of cunning hero Odysseus, who is thwarted by the gods as he tries to make his way home following the Trojan war.

Rehearsals were learning opportunities as actors studied characters and became intimate with the literary classic.

“It’s interesting with how many parallels it has to lots of different mythology. It alludes to the Bible and Roman mythology,” said Mount Si senior Heidi Hall, who plays Calypso. “And it all matches up well with things that are going on now. It’s the same personal problems people are struggling with now -they’re struggling with what’s most important to them and how hard they should fight.”

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