This is one of the oldest stories in the book, dating back to 467 BC to be exact: Odipe mistakenly marries his own mother. When he finds out, the king blinds himself and curses his two sons to fight to the death for his throne.

Contemporary artists love these ancient Greek tragedies because they hold universal truths that stand the test of time. In the case of Aeschylus Seven against Thebes, Dallas theater makers Danielle Georgiou and Justin Locklear say they are driven by the idea that all-consuming fear can be more dangerous than weapons of war.

Stronger than guns, their adaptation for the Danielle Georgiou Dance Group, will be presented by Undermain Theater to open its 2021-22 season. In DGDG’s inimitable style, the world premiere uses poetic verse, dance and multimedia elements to focus on the pressures on Theban women caught up in the conflict.

Other locally produced works will be showcased in “Whither Goes Thou America”, Undermain’s annual festival of new play readings. The authors include Dallas-based transgender teenage actor Zander Pryor and New Orleans-born Dallas-based Erin Malone Turner, as well as internationally acclaimed Len Jenkin.

Production art director Bruce DuBose to reprise his role as vampiric critic in one-man show Saint Nicolas and the company will go up Lonely blues, songs and monologues by Dallas writers Akin Babatundé and Alan Govenar on Deep Ellum musician Blind Lemon Jefferson and his contemporaries.

Undermain hopes to perform in both live and streaming audiences based on COVID-19 infection rates.

Details

Stronger than guns runs Sep 16-Oct 2 at the Undermain Theater, 3200 Main St., airing online October 3-17. Tickets on sale August 30. $ 15 to $ 30. Seasonal memberships from $ 65 to $ 125. undermain.org.