Theater

Antigone: Director Kate Whoriskey prefaces Sophocles’ tragedy with Christian, Jewish and Muslim images, followed by an evocation of Sept. 11. Fortunately, the topical references don’t get much more specific. Whoriskey plants the thought in our brains, yanking the text into the 21st century, imparting a sense of urgency. Then she delivers an “Antigone” that, despite contemporary costumes and furnishings, isn’t very different from a traditional staging. Her strategy pays off. The story of a warring uncle and niece, both self-righteous to a fault, becomes both timely and timeless.

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Ends Sunday at South Coast Repertory, Segerstrom Stage, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. (714) 708-5555.