From one of the creators behind Hadestown, Basura, Newsies & more
Antigone1989
A Town Hall Musical
A bold retelling of Sophocles' Antigone set in 1989 California, where grief, activism, and democracy collide.
5–29 August 2026 · 15:05
Other Yin · Gilded Balloon Patter House · Edinburgh Fringe
About the Show
A retelling of Sophocles, set in Thebes, California.
Antigone 1989 reimagines the ancient tragedy as a town hall musical, where the audience becomes the citizenry and the stage becomes the public square.
The Oracle summons audience-citizens and invokes the ancient rites of drama and democracy to address a crisis. Two brothers, gay activist Nikolas and conservative cop Elias, are dead after a protest on the capitol steps.
When the Governor proclaims one a hero and the other erased, defiant sister Tig and best friend Henry risk everything for justice and love. The score delivers both burden and joy as it navigates human need, political greed, and grassroots resistance as survival.
There is no sitting out.
Venue, Dates & Tickets
Venue
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Other Yin · Edinburgh
Dates
5–29 August 2026
No shows 17 & 24 Aug
Time
15:05–16:05
Daily · 60 min, no interval
Tickets
From £9
Age 12+
Previews (5–7 Aug) £9 · Midweek £12.50 (£11.50 conc.) · Weekends £13 (£12 conc.) · 2-for-1 on 10 & 11 Aug.
Be in the room where change happens.
Book through Gilded BalloonAlso on sale via Edinburgh Fringe.
The Cast
A dynamic company of bold music-theatre performers brings Thebes, California to life. Click on their image to learn more.
The Creative Team
The artists building Thebes, California — from page to score to stage. Click on their image to learn more.
From the Production
Real stills from the company — the protest, the grief, the defiance. This is Thebes, California. Tap any photo to enlarge.
Production photography by Geovanny Soto.
Watch / Listen
Hear the studio recording of “In the Light” and get a feel for the staging before you book — more clips drop on the road to Edinburgh.
In the Light — Studio Session
Step inside the studio with the cast as they record “In the Light,” written by Chris Rayis for Antigone 1989 — filmed during a session in Elon University’s Live Room, Studio C, at the Arts West Music Facility.
- Featuring
- Jonah Uffelman, Elliot Choate, Trevor Hudson, Sierra Safran, Emmalynn Bruce, Victoria Martinez & Elliot Sullivan
- Production Crew
- Videography & editing by Geovanny Soto (artbysoto.com). Audio engineering by Carey Harwood.
News
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Antigone 1989 about?+
It's a bold new one-act musical that relocates Sophocles' Antigone to 1989 Thebes, California. When two brothers are killed after a protest, the state honours one and erases the other — and a defiant sister refuses to stay silent. It's a razor-sharp story about resistance, identity, and the cost of standing your ground.
Is it a musical?+
Yes — a fully sung-and-staged new musical with an original score by Chris Rayis that pulses between grief and joy, a book by Ken Cerniglia, and direction by Elizabeth McKoy.
How long is the show?+
About 60 minutes, performed as a single act with no interval.
Where and when can I see it?+
At Other Yin, Gilded Balloon Patter House (3 Chambers Street, Edinburgh), as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 5–29 August 2026 at 15:05 daily. Please note there are no performances on 17 and 24 August.
How much are tickets and how do I book?+
Tickets start from £9 for previews (5–7 Aug), with midweek shows £12.50 (£11.50 concession) and weekends £13 (£12 concession); 10 and 11 August are 2-for-1. Book through Gilded Balloon using the Get Tickets button at the top of this page; tickets are also on sale via the Edinburgh Fringe box office.
Where can I hear some of the music?+
Watch our studio session of "In the Light" in the video section above for a taste of Chris Rayis' original score.
What age is it suitable for?+
The Edinburgh Fringe listing recommends ages 12 and up.
Is there anything I should know before attending?+
The show includes audience participation and contains distressing or potentially triggering themes — political violence, protest, grief, and LGBTQ+ themes. For specific content guidance or accessibility needs, please contact the Gilded Balloon box office.
Press, media & producing enquiries?+
For press, media, and review-ticket requests, contact our PR lead Mel Brown at mel@impressivepr.com. For UK producing enquiries, contact our UK producer Frodo Allan at frodo@rhymeswithpurple.net.