Drexel Players Adapt Children's Fables for the Corporate World in 'AE$OP'

In September, the Drexel Players will bring “AE$OP,” an original play based on “Aesop’s Fables,” to Philadelphia’s FringeArts festival. The production appears at Drexel’s URBN Annex Black Box Theater from Sept. 5 through 14.

Everyone has likely heard at least one of Aesop's fables: “The Tortoise and the Hare,” “The Dog and Its Reflection,” “The Boy Cried Wolf.” But not everyone has taken the time to dissect, contextualize, or even understand these sometimes-twisted stories. That's where “AE$OP” takes over.

“AE$OP” is an imaginative and immersive theatrical adaptation of the famed fables. Set in the dog-eat-dog (literally) corporate world, the tales of the fables' characters intertwine to venture beyond simple morals of right and wrong. This mature take on the stories will encourage audiences to consider what they really learned from these childhood lessons. Philadelphia theater veteran Claire Moyer joins the Drexel Players team as director.

“After working with several Philadelphia theater artists over the 2013-2014 season we were inspired to adapt a familiar story into something that rang true for us,” said producer and recent Drexel alum Charlotte Dow. “We soon discovered that Aesop’s fables are much more complicated than we thought and were even more excited to put our own spin on the stories.”

The Drexel Players are a student-run theater organization at Drexel that works to produce quality theater, engage the student body socially and broaden students’ knowledge and involvement in the Philadelphia theater community. Students participate in all aspects of producing a Drexel Players show, from acting to design to publicity. Past Drexel Players FringeArts productions include 2012’s “MONUMENT” and 2013’s “Parts: A Speed-Through.”

“AE$OP”

When: Performances at 7 p.m. Sept. 5; 7  and 11 p.m. Sept. 6; 6 p.m. Sept. 7; 7 p.m. Sept. 8; 8 p.m. Sept 11-13; and 2 p.m. Sept. 14

Where: URBN Annex Black Box Theater, 3401 Filbert St.