Eurydice, played by Emma Gandor, meets with the Lord of the Underworld played by Dyrk Conrade Michael in “Eurydice” based on the classic Greek legend. The show opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Mid-Ohio Valley Players in Marietta. (Photo provided)

A classic Greek legend gets an updated retelling when “Eurydice” by Sarah Ruhl opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Mid-Ohio Valley Players Theatre in Marietta.

“Eurydice” is the story of Eurydice, a young woman who dies on her wedding day to Orpheus and must travel to the Underworld where she reunites with her father and tries to remember her lost love.

“Eurydice” runs 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, June 28 and June 29, and 3 p.m. June 30.

Tickets are $13 each and are available at midohiovalleyplayers.com in advance or at the box office 90 minutes before each show.

Director Angela Shrader did an abridged version of the show in high school and fell in love with the love story between Orpheus and Eurydice.

Sterling Mayer as Orpheus with his love Eurydice played Emma Gandor in the Mid-Ohio Valley Players production of “Eurydice” that opens 7:30 p.m. Friday. (Photo provided)

“As I got older, it has always stuck with me, but rereading it now versus when I was 16, the relationship of Eurydice and her Father became the part I loved most,” she said. “I often see myself and my own father in this show, and I wanted to be able to share that.”

Technical aspects have been the biggest challenge of the show, Shrader said.

“A lot of people have come up to me saying ‘I can’t believe you got a theater to do ‘Eurydice’ here’ because it is a self-proclaimed ‘playground’ for theater technicians as well as being a bit on the odd side of artsy,” she said. “But I think we have done some really fun and interesting things within a limited technical space. Beth Lane has given us some beautiful lights and we even have originally created music by Hieronymus Bots (Nicholas Rake). Plus we’ve had stellar turnouts for builds to create a beautiful set.”

Ronnie Talbott, who directed the 2010 production of which Shrader had a part, plays Father in MOVP’s version.

“The Father in ‘Eurydice’ is more than just Eurydice’s father,” Talbott said.

From left, Ronnie Talbott as Father and Emma Gandor as Eurydice in a scene from “Eurydice” that opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Mid-Ohio Valley Players Theatre in Marietta. (Photo provided)

“Through this unique story we get to see a parent who passed get to watch over their child and then reconnect with them,” he said.

“I wanted to audition for this show because I have been enthralled by it after first being introduced to it in 2009.”

Dyrk Conrad Michael returns to the Players stage as the Lord of the Underworld, described as a wildly fun role, with bizarre entrances, shape shifting, and subtle displays of his cosmic powers.

Michael credits the directors as the main reason he auditioned for the role.

“I’ve worked with Sean [Shoop] and Angie in the theater several times and I have always enjoyed working with them,” Michael said.

“They take the theater seriously enough to make sure the results of the production are top-notch, while also keeping it relaxed enough that it is simply fun to work with them.”

Ash Michael plays the role of Little Stone, one of three members of a Greek chorus.

“Little Stone is a sweet and sassy (but mostly sassy) character,” Ash Michael said. “The Stones are responsible for making sure the underworld runs smoothly, and she is quite a stickler for the rules. She also loves to garden, keep still, and keep quiet.”

The technical parts of the show are on a whole new level for the theater.

“This show has been the most artistically creative show I have ever been a part of,” Ash Michael said. “Actual running water on stage, specific character theme songs, trap doors and fog machines are only a very small part of the creativity that’s displayed in this masterpiece.”

She encourages everyone she knows to see the show.

“Our director’s minds have truly brought this play to life like I could never have imagined. From a gorgeous set, continuous mood lighting, immersive sound and some of the best actors I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with,” she said. “I guarantee it will be like no experience you’ve had before at MOVP.”

Shrader also wants people to see this show because of how different it is from the normal theater experience.

“It probably isn’t much like anything you’ve seen before at a local community theater. It will definitely make you think it’s a little strange, pretty funny and a whole lot of sweet,” Shrader said. “If you’ve seen ‘traditional’ theatrical shows and you didn’t like them, this might be a great fit for you. Or if you like the classics, this will still hit all the right spots.”

Members of the cast are: Emma Gandor as Eurydice; Sterling Mayer as Orpheus; Ronnie Talbott as Father: Dyrk Conrad Michael as Lord of the Underworld; Ash Michael as Little Stone; Ket Perkins as Loud Stone; and Jeff Walker as Big Stone.

Mid-Ohio Valley Players Theatre is at 229 Putnam St. in Marietta. This show is sponsored by Dr. William Cline and Sue Cline and is presented in arrangement with Concord Theatricals, LTD.