BRUNSWICK —  The Theater Project presents their next community collaboration ‘Antigone,”  directed by Al Miller. The play, which opens Friday, March 20, at 14 School St., is inspired by the Greek myth, and is written by Jean Anouilh and adapted by Lewis Galantiere. The production features a cast of community, Young Company, and professional actors, including Robbie Harrison from last summer’s “Tempest on the Mall.”

Anouilh’s version of this chapter of the Oedipus myth was first produced in Paris during the Nazi occupation in the early 1940s, after the Germans had installed Marshal Petain’s collaborating Vichy government. Because the play had to be approved by German censors, it is purposefully ambiguous with regard to the idea of rejection of authority, represented by Antigone, and the acceptance of it, represented by Creon.

To the Germans, though Antigone was a brave girl, she was misguided and didn’t understand what was necessary to preserve the state and Creon, who understood the need for order and for difficult decisions, was the real hero. The play’s parallels to the French resistance and the Nazi occupation are clear, but somehow the production passed the censors and had a long run in occupied Paris, when theaters were unheated, the lighting unreliable and costumes scarce.

This is not Miller’s first experience with the work. “Over three decades ago, the first year of what was called “The Summer Theater Project,” I directed a production of Jean Anouilh’s “Antigone” in the old Unitarian Universalist Church on Pleasant Street,” he said. “I was very excited about it at the time, though I might be embarrassed if I could see it now. As a young high school English teacher, I had taught the play and liked it. Now, so many years and plays later, I find myself drawn to it again.

The play’s themes are as relevant in the 21st century as they were in the 1940s or in Greek times, as people the world over still live under oppressive authorities, dying for their beliefs. Anouilh allows his audience to decide what they believe, and each audience member may leave with a different opinion.

Set design for this production is by Christopher Price. Lighting by JP Gagnon, music and sound by Barb Truex, and costumes by Corrie Calderwood round out the technical staff.

ANTIGONE opens at The Theater Project on Friday, March 20, and continues until Sunday, March 29.  Performances times are8:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:00 pm on Sundays.  Suggested ticket price is $15, but all tickets are Pay-What-You-Want.  For information and reservations, call The Theater Project’s box office, 729-8584, or visit www.theaterproject.com. The Theater Project is located at 14 School Street in Brunswick. ANTIGONE is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, LTD.