THE STORY: As he approaches the end of a lengthy prison sentence, Oedipus is ready to taste his long-awaited freedom. But physical liberation comes at a price, and life on the outside proves its own kind of prison ruled by a cruel and violent fate. Based on Sophocles’ classic tale, OEDIPUS EL REY is an urgent examination of modern institutions, social barriers, and the power of storytelling for those bold enough to challenge the gods of our time.
“…vigorous and pointed… What Sophocles left offstage—the violence, the sex—[OEDIPUS EL REY] confidently stages. …This gives [the play] swagger, oomph and economy, but it also makes for a salacious watch. …[OEDIPUS EL REY] is a grim and dynamic reminder that…stories matter, old ones and new ones, true ones and fake ones.” —NY Times. “…Alfaro brings the action onstage and places it in a contemporary setting: the Chicano gang culture of Southern California. The result is an adaptation that feels both urgently relevant and timeless. …Alfaro illuminates the ancient themes of the Oedipus story in thrillingly modern ways, giving us a new appreciation for the myth.” —TheaterMania.com. “…OEDIPUS dazzles… [it] strikes to the bone of one of our more disturbing ancient legends and gives it new, breathtakingly vital life.” —Mercury News.
