Digital.Director says, "Snakes only come in dreams." Orpheus says, "I dreamed all afternoon about that one. And I call up the director and say, 'I want to play the snake, OK?'" Digital.Director says, "Snakes are only symbols." Hades says, "Yeah, no symbols are allowed in hell." Digital.Director says, "Look around you, we got a three-headed dog, we got black koalas, we got dancing rocks, what's with the snake obsession?" Orpheus exclaims, "And she says, 'Hey, good news--you get to play that rock star--Orpheus!'" Digital.Director says, "Snakes don't play." Orpheus asks, "All I wanted to play was the Prologue and the snake, OK? So she says, 'No, I play the Prologue, remember? *I always* play the Prologue. And by the way, there will be no snake.'" Digital.Director says, "Right, no snake. And if I hear any more lip, no Prologue either." Orpheus lets out a long sigh and says, "I need a drink." Digital.Director says, "You guys are going to get a COW, and see how great a drama you can make with that."

+Inaugurated for documenta X, the Orpheus series is an original variant on the Orpheus myth set in Venice and the DownUnderWorld. In the first performance, Orpheus: I Am the Music, Orpheus, a hapless musician, is pursued by Zeus, CEO of MountOlympus Records. In a tragic accident, Orpheus' wife, Eurydice, is electrocuted by a rogue mike and Orpheus must bargain with Hades, the old lord of the DownUnderWorld, in order to get her back. On their way out of hell, however, disaster strikes, closely followed by the Maenads...+ The Plaintext Players would like to thank Kunstradio Berlin, Thomas Buesch, and Thessy Mehrain for their help in setting up this performance. [TRANSCRIPT] [CAST AND PERFORMANCES] [SILENT ORPHEUS]