For others less versed in classical drama, the learning curve has been even greater. Many of the cast members do not speak Latin, so learning the songs in the original language has been difficult. Even for classicists, the unusual meter in which the songs are written has forced them to adjust their typical reading style.

Founded in 1885, the Harvard Classics Club has been producing Roman and Greek drama for more than 100 years.

The 1906 production of the Agamemnon of Aeschylus, held in Harvard Stadium, attracted crowds in the thousands. 

In recent times, however, the club went through a period of dormancy, and their last play was produced in the late 1980s.

Hoping to revive the tradition, Watson and Kimel began asking around the Classics department last spring if there was interest in putting on a play. The response was favorable, and roughly two-fifths of concentrators worked on the play.

The success of this production will likely affect the club’s future as well. Some financial support for the show still comes from the Agamemnon Fund left by the 1906 show. And the club hopes alumni will turn up to see this production.

A reception after last night’s performance welcomed former club members, including Bryn Mawr’s Nancy Dersofi, a professor of Italian, who performed in the club’s 1956 production of Oedipus at Colonus.

Members of the club hope for a large and engaged audience. Publicity packets were sent to local schools and classics departments at other colleges, and the classics department office has been barraged with questions about the show.

Kimel, meanwhile, says he looks forward to the audience’s reaction.

“Those shocked by the ribald fruits of our efforts would do well to remember that the Romans did, after all, originate the toga party,” Kimel says.

—The Menaechmi plays on Friday at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Agassiz Theatre