On Friday night, the stage came to life with "Children of Light," a Greek drama about Elektra (Brittaleigha Baskerville), the daughter of King Agamemnon and Queen Clytemnestra (Janis Stevens, who also directed).

The play is writer Rick Foster's somewhat modernized take on Elektra's story of love, power and murder and he has injected just enough modern wit and sarcasm so that the audience can connect with the play, which is set in ancient Greece.

The story of Elektra and her family has been told by the Greeks for centuries and it is Euripides' version that most interested Foster. He explores her loyalty to her father as she plots the murder of her mother (the Queen), who murdered Elektra's father. She grapples with her conflicting inner-self and hopes for the safe return of her brother, Orestes (Jammy Bulaya). After finding him, and after going back and forth with three poor girls from the village (Sara Sells, Lauren Nardozzi, and Acacia Fisher), the siblings plot out revenge and a plan to take away the Queen's illegitimate power.

Four murders, sexual affairs and a borderline incestuous brother-sister relationship make for an intense 95 minutes but Foster includes just enough humor to lighten up the heavy play while leaving the drama intact.

Examples of this humor are found in lines such as a ditch digger (Eric Baldwin) calling the god Apollo "that guy that likes the rich people" and describing Queen Clytemnestra "getting kinky."

The cast ranges in experience, from the theatrically-seasoned to faces fresh to the stage. Baldwin (ditch digger/ Pylades) has had roles in numerous plays in both North America and Europe. Baskerville (Elektra) is currently majoring in theater arts at American River College. The play is the first performance for Sells (Irene) and Bulaya (Orestes).

"Children of Light" is the ninth of Foster's plays to be produced at California Stage and his work has been shown across the country, from Carmel to New York City. Director Stevens has directed several shows for California Stage and has received numerous awards for her one-woman show, Vivien.

The play will be shown until June 14 at the California Stage, located at 1723 25th Street. For showtimes and upcoming plays, visit calstage.org.