Adapted by Jay Ball
An adaptation of Homer’s classic, Quantum’s An Odyssey explores what keeps us coming back to these ancient tales of a war and of a journey home, expanded in our minds as they are to encompass a whole lifetime’s choices, youth passing to experience, idealism to reality unmitigated. We ask what defines heroism, emphasize female characters who were mere footnotes to the original, and find ample humor. Quantum’s 11th collaboration with Citiparks, the iconic and newly refurbished Schenley Park Ice Skating Rink provides an end-of-summer site to celebrate our 30th Anniversary Season’s kickoff.
Location
Schenley Park Ice Skating Rink, 10341 Overlook Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, near the tennis courts in Schenley Park.
Accessibility
If you require accessible parking or have other accessibility needs, please call us at 412.362.1713 for some important instructions. This show requires navigating two significant flights of stairs, an inclined path, and a possibly strenuous walk, but we are happy to offer alternative routing and accommodations. Marked parking spots are available close to the rink for patrons who need them. If you anticipate needing any sort of other special accommodation, or just have questions, please call 412-362-1713 or email quantum@quantumtheatre.com and we would be happy to assist you.
Assistive listening devices will be available at all performances of An Odyssey thanks to support from the Allegheny Regional Asset District.
Tuesday, August 31 will be an audio-described performance. Please note in your order if you expect to make use of the audio-description service or email quantum@quantumtheatre.com so we can be sure to have an adequate number of earpieces for all participants. To book tickets for the audio-described performance, click here.
Click here to view a digital version of our playbill.
FAQs
How do I get there and where do I park?
Click here for directions.
Accessible parking is located at the end of an access road leading right to the rink. Please call 412.362.1713 for directions or email quantum@quantumtheatre.com.
Overlook Drive, the nearest parking to the Skating Rink, can be quite busy in the evenings. Please plan to arrive at 7:30 so you have ample time to find parking and make the short walk to the rink. We strongly recommend approaching the park from Panther Hollow Rd. or Boulevard of the Allies so you have as many opportunities as possible to secure convenient parking. See below for more detailed instructions.
Do I need to bring a chair?
No! We’ll provide comfortable ones, each set with a bit of distance from its neighbors. Feel free to pull them together and “self-pod”. If you plan to enjoy a pre-show NearBuy dinner, do bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair and enjoy your meal at the overlook.
What if it rains?
We will monitor the weather in advance of each performance, and if conditions are guaranteed to make a performance impossible or unsafe, we will contact all patrons with rebooking options. However, Quantum has a long history of pushing forward in the face of uncertain forecasts. On such occasions, we encourage patrons to come prepared for the weather and the possibility of a brief delay or hold to accommodate a passing shower. Safety protocol calls for us to hold the show for up to 20 minutes when lightning is detected within eight miles, or if sustained rain results in dangerous accumulations of water on the rink’s surface.
What is your safety plan?
All artists and staff members working on the show are fully vaccinated. With rising caseloads, we recommend that all patrons wear a mask, and masking is required for anyone who is unvaccinated. Be mindful of social distance at the box office, concessions, and when queuing for restrooms.
An Odyssey is performed outdoors in open air, with attendance limited to approximately 75% capacity. Unlike The Current War there are no set pods, however all seats are arranged with some distance between them. Audience members are encouraged to “self pod” with members of their party by pulling chairs together, allowing increased spacing between groups.
Is COVID-19 vaccination required for audience members?
Not at An Odyssey, which is outdoors with distance between seats. But if you are not vaccinated, you must be masked. Beginning with Chimerica in November vaccination will be required at all Quantum productions until further notice.
How do exchanges work?
For the safety of all patrons, if you aren’t feeling well stay home and let us know. We’ll reschedule you to another performance, pending availability.
Subscribers may exchange with 24 hours of notice for any reason. Single-ticket buyers will incur a $5 exchange fee, except when exchanging due to illness.
Exchanges can be processed by calling 412.362.1713 or emailing boxoffice@quantumtheatre.com
Will there be a digital recording of An Odyssey?
While we were pleased to have been able to offer a recording of The Current War, licensing and union agreements for An Odyssey only permit live in-person performances.
How much are tickets?
On weekdays and Sundays through August 22, tickets are $38, thereafter they are $42. Saturday tickets are $50.
$18 student tickets are available for all weekdays by calling 412.362.1713. Ticketholders will be required to show a valid student ID at check-in.
What if I need to use the restroom?
Portajohns are available near the rink. We suggest visiting upon arrival as there will be no late seating.
What if I get hungry?
Pre-show picnicking at Schenley Park is encouraged. Boxed dinners from our NearBuy partners will be available for all shows. Each dollar spent will be matched as meal or gift certificate purchase distributed to neighbors experiencing food insecurity. Packaged concessions will also be sold at each performance.
To order a NearBuy dinner, please purchase tickets for your selected performance first. Weekday orders from Proper Taproom can be placed using this form, weekend orders from East End Brewing Company can be placed using this form. You will receive an emailed reminder about dinners with these links in advance of your performance as well.
Do I need to print my tickets?
Nope! When you arrive, Quantum staff will be there to check you in. Just give the name of the person who purchased the tickets. And do us a favor if that’s not you – give us your name and email address at the check-in table so we can make sure you know about future performances.
Performance Calendar
Week 1
- Wednesday, August 11, 8:00 p.m. – Pay What You Can Preview
- Thursday, August 12, 8:00 p.m. – Community Night Preview
- Friday, August 13, 8:00 p.m. – Opening Night
- Saturday, August 14 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday, August 15, 8:00 p.m. – Sunday Q&A
Special Performances
Opening NightMost Popular
Sunday Q&A
Social Q
Quantum Quaff
Quantum on the Couch
Cast
Sam Turich*
Odysseus
Shammen McCune*
Actea, Gryllus, Siren
Erika Strasburg*
Nausicaa
Nancy McNulty*
Alcippe, Kratos, Tiresias, Siren
Catherine Gowl*
Penelope, Circe
Grace Vensel
Adraste, Polites, Anticlea
Sam Lothard
Polyphemus, Hermes, King Alcinous
Team
Scenic Design – Narelle Sissons
Lighting Design – C. Todd Brown
Costume Design – Mindy Eshelman
Sound Design – Joe Pino
Fight Director – Randy Kovitz
Installation Artists – Mindy Eshelman and ROY
Production Stage Manager – Cory Goddard*
ASM and Health and Safety Supervisor – Piper Clement
*denotes Actors’ Equity Association member
Location & Directions
Schenley Park Ice Skating Rink, 10341 Overlook Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, near tennis courts in Schenley Park.
Get DirectionsGeneral Guidance
Overlook Drive, the nearest parking to the Skating Rink, can be quite busy in the evenings. Please plan to arrive at 7:30 so you have ample time to find parking and make the short walk to the rink. We strongly recommend approaching the park from Panther Hollow Rd. or Boulevard of the Allies so you have as many opportunities as possible to secure convenient parking. Overlook Drive is one way until the Schenley Oval and parking is permitted on both sides of the street until you reach the Oval’s Track area. We advise looking for a place to park once you pass the Martin Log House on your left.
Depending on where you park, there are two ways to approach the skating rink, indicated on our parking map. If you park at the bottom of the hill, look for a lower access road just past the Martin Log House marked by a sign that says “Schenley Park Ice Skating Rink, No Parking Except Employees and Deliveries”, and without turning up that road, park nearby. Alternatively, If you park up the hill near the Schenley Park Overlook you will walk down a paved path to get to the Rink.
Both approaches will be marked by red “Q” signs and require a short walk, though the approach from the Overlook is less strenuous. Please read on for more specific information about accessible parking and how to approach the Skating Rink from various directions.
Best parking will be in the green areas. Note that parking in the yellow sections might require a longer walk to the rink.
Accessible Parking:
If you require accessible parking or have other accessibility needs, please call us at 412.362.1713 for some important instructions. Accessing the site requires navigating two significant flights of stairs, an inclined path, and a possibly strenuous walk, but we are happy to offer alternative routing and accommodations. For accessible parking, after you have turned onto Overlook Drive from the Boulevard of the Allies, take the first left after the Martin Log House and Playground marked by a sign that says “Schenley Park Ice Skating Rink, No Parking Except Employees and Deliveries”. After a short drive up this access road, you will find marked accessible parking spots. A staff member will be available to check you in and help get you seated in the rink.
Please be considerate when using these spots by parking efficiently close to the next car – we want to have as many available as possible for those with accessibility needs.
Recommended Routes to Overlook Drive and Additional Parking Information
From Oakland:
Enter Schenley Park on Boulevard of the Allies. The Schenley Park Swimming Pool will be on the right and also a small access road that comes off Boulevard of the Allies. Turn right on that road, which is Overlook Drive, and go straight up the hill. Please be advised that missing the turn onto Overlook Drive will require you to turn around at the intersection of Panther Hollow and Greenfield Road. The ice rink is located at 10341 Overlook Drive, past the Martin Log House Playground, and is visible from Overlook Drive. Overlook Drive is a one-way road until you pass the Schenley Park Overlook, and parking is available on both sides of the street.
From Squirrel Hill:
Take Panther Hollow Road and keep to the right when the road forks toward Phipps Conservatory. Follow that fork until the stop sign, and turn left onto Panther Hollow Road. Go straight and follow the road under the bridge. On the right will be the Schenley Park Swimming Pool and an access road that is Overlook Drive. Make a right onto Overlook Drive and follow the road to the Schenley Park Ice Rink at 10341 Overlook Drive. Overlook Drive is one way and parking is available on both sides of the street.
Other way to approach:
From Greenfield Road, make a left on Overlook Drive, marked by a large yellow and blue sign that says “Ice Rink”. Follow the road to the Schenley Park Overlook, with parking available on the side all the way to the top. Note that Overlook Drive becomes a one-way road and you must turn around at the Oval. Once parked, please follow the paved pathways by the tennis courts and follow the “Q” signs.
From Hobart Street, make a left onto Greenfield Road, and then make an immediate right onto Overlook Drive, marked by a large yellow and blue sign that says “Ice Rink”. Continue as above.
From Panther Hollow Road, merge right onto Greenfield Road and make an immediate right onto Overlook Drive, marked by a large yellow and blue sign that says “Ice Rink”. Continue as above.
