IphigeniaAulis2.0020

IphigeniaAulis2.0020_Labute

The playwrite sets the issues of family vying with self-interest in the dilemma of a traveling businessman spending a thoughtful night in an Orem, Utah hotel room. As the liquor takes effect, the story comes out.

The narrative monologue reveals a tragedy that unfolded some years before, a moment where a father made a critical mistake and his little daughter died at his own hand. His rationalization is that little Emma's death was meant to "save the family", i.e. achieve for the father a better position at work. This may not convince us when the confession really becomes clear. A co-worker had pranked the salesman into believing that he was going to be dismissed from his job.

The narrative gain is in Labute's adaptation of a highly charged mythological situation into an everyman's everyday situation. The death of the child is tragic even if not so uncommon, even if it is still gut-wrenchingly tragic.