In this gritty reimagining of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, the modern kingdom is the barrio of East LA. Our ruler, just released from prison, is in search of a new place called home. Along the way he faces off with a wounded queen, a three-headed born-again serpent and a king with road rage. Is our young homeboy doomed to suffer his destiny? The word on the street is not good, but great love conquers all. A shared world premiere with San Francisco's Magic Theatre.
Oedipus el Rey is a National New Play Network rolling world premiere with San Francisco's Magic Theatre and Washington DC's Wooly Mammoth Theatre Company.
Featuring Carlos Acuna, Leandro Cano, Daniel Chacon, Marlene Forte, Justin Huen, Winston J. Rocha, Michael Uribes
Understudies Robert Almodovar, Alberto De Diego, Reggie De Leon, William Scott Figueroa, Richard Gallegos, Christopher Rivas
Sound Design and Music Composition Robert Oriol
Scenic Design John H. Binkley
Lighting Design Jeremy Pivnick
Costume Design Dori Quan
Prop Design Shannon Dedman
Fight Choreographer Edgar Landa
Assistant Director Nathan Singh
Production Stage Manager Jaclyn Kalkhurst
Casting Director Michael Donovan, CSA
Key Art Christopher Komuro
Production Photographer Ed Krieger
“Luis Alfaro’s version updates [Oedipus Rex] imaginatively and poetically…Astoundingly real and electrifying…The actors Justin Huen and Marlene Forte irresistibly compel us…This work might remind us why the Greeks developed and supported theater.” -Backstage
“Nothing I write will adequately do this show justice. Please allow me to be blunt on the outset: This show is fantastic! …Oedipus el Rey is a brilliant, reverent and worthy reimagining of the timeless original penned by Sophocles. Justin Huen is electrifying as Oedipus, the ill-fated pawn of the gods. Marlene Forte portrays a Jocasta whose sorrow and [grief] are palpable…This production is a tour de force of exceptional performances that will leave you breathless…simply outstanding.” -LA Splash
“You want to see something that’s really…hot? On a stage in L.A.? Check out the first meeting of Oedipus (Justin Huen) and Jocasta (Marlene Forte) in Luis Alfaro’s new Oediups el Rey, at the Boston Court. The sexual electricidad ignites the room…Alfaro brilliantly honors the essence of Sophocles’ world view…it’s sleek and streamlined.” -LA Stage Blog
“Jocasta [is] played flawlessly by Marlene Forte. Huen’s rugged and explosive youth is complemented by Forte’s deep and sensual sadness. Their chemistry is disturbingly electric…especially poignant is the humor, which delicately balances the tragedy…the final moments are frightfully stunning.” -LA Theatre Review
“Electric…a spellbinding dance of pain and eroticism. Director Jon Lawrence Rivera works seamlessly with his team of designers to achieve a stark elegance…the final image chills.” -LA Times
“Out-and-out brilliant theater...with Alfaro’s often poetic words spoken by an absolutely superb ensemble under the brilliant direction of Jon Lawrence Rivera, Oedipus el Rey is simply theater at its finest…Justin Huen is an absolutely stunning Oedipus…positively electric.” -Stage Scene LA
“Brilliantly staged…memorable and moving.” -LA Weekly
“A great success, thanks to the fine writing, excellent and imaginative direction, and strong casting…absolutely riveting…See it if you enjoy good theatre.” -Theatre Review LA
“A bold retelling of the myth, with stark and effective staging (set by John H. Binkley) and a driving urgent rhythm.” -LA Theater Reviews Examiner
“A fiercely authentic production with a superb troupe of perfectly cast actors…electrifyingly powerful." -Out and About Magazine
