Garry Marshall Theatre
Oedipus El Rey
A Theatrical Development Production from Project Gente
Written by Luis Alfaro
Directed by Mark Anthony Vallejo
FRIDAY, JULY 24 at 7:30PM
SATURDAY, JULY 25 at 7:30PM
Why Oedipus:
It begins with my identity. I am of European and Indigenous decent which can be opera and ceremonial stories. And perhaps music and shapes. But in all, it’s poetry. Poetry that will always raise voices and see the world in a stronger light, even though the hardships. Oedipus radiates magical realism, a poetry in the making through reading and seeing. I’m excited by its colorful dreams and what I can create with my community members. I’ve nurture voices who’ve become promote leaders in their respective fields. I’ve been honored to have worked with high schoolers, college students, parents, veterans, single-mothers and fathers, young and older ages of all races and backgrounds. I’ve always given them a platform to stand strong and be proud of the work they created.
Oedipus El Rey will continue my personal mission in responding and elevating creative discussion in my community from LA and beyond. Oedipus is a story of a man who is desperate to leave a legacy behind by forcing his way to become king. Consequently, he kills his father, commits sexual acts with his mother unknowably and defiles tradition. In the end, his mother commits suicide, and he is left to rot in jail, bind.
When a production like Oedipus, who demands and serves brown Chicano voice profoundly, we are saying ‘you belong in the theatre. You are great. You are the reason the world turns. Your important”. I’ve assembled an all latino/Latina team; from the cast to the production design. We are producing a version of Oedipus El Rey in it’s infancy. We are asking questions and making bold statements, simultaneously. It’s not a final product, but a promising performance that will have future productions. The cast will be comprised of reputable ELAC Alumni, recently college graduate fathers and mothers.
We are looking for a space that will allow us to celebrate and nurture a magical-realism Latino/a production which will culminate into a limited-2-day performance.
Sincerely,
MarkAnthony Vallejo
CAST
Oedipus/Coro #6
Peter Mendoza
Laius/Coro #4/El Huesero
Nico Navarro
Jocasta
Blanca Paola Espinoza
Creon/Coro #3/Tecolote #3/Esfinge #3
Christopher Blonski
Tiresias/Coro #5
Alex Alpharaoh
Coro #1/El Sobador/ Tecolote #1/El Mistico/Esfinge #1
Diana Reyes
Coro #2/Tecolote #2/El Curandero/Esfinge #2
Giovanny Benavente
Project Gente Mission:
Project Gente Mission is to enrich and inspire local Latinx artist by exposing them in a professional setting with their community to engage in bold and artistic expression. From community college students to professionals, we aim to produce challenging works in pursuit of creating access to industry opportunities and connections. We celebrate the essential powers of theatre and look forward to illuminating our shared humanity.
PERFORMANCES
FRIDAY, JULY 24 at 7:30PM
SATURDAY, JULY 25 at 7:30PM
Running Time: 90 minutes with no intermission.
Tickets*: $10-$20
*Listed price not inclusive of ticketing fees
All tickets purchased for this performance are final. We do not offer refunds for any reason, including but not limited to: changes in schedule, personal conflicts, or cancellations.