Myth | The Sleepless Critic

REVIEW: Humor brightens The Huntington’s raw and gritty ‘Oedipus El Rey’

Posted on May 27 by The Sleepless Critic

Is it possible to alter your destiny?

If you are thinking of that classic Greek mythological tale, then yes, it’s that story…with a twist.

Boldly directed by Loretta Greco, The Huntington continues Luis Alfaro’s Oedipus El Rey live and in person at Calderwood Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts extended through Sunday, June 14. This semi-interactive and bilingual production contains adult themes and content including nudity. Taking place in engaging stadium seating, the production runs approximately 100 minutes without an intermission. The program contains a valuable synopsis and guide of Spanish terms with translations. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Javier David in foreground, with LtoR:Jaime José Hernández, Juan Arturo, Gabe Martínez in Oedipus El Rey; directed by Loretta Greco; photo by Marc J. Franklin

Oedipus El Rey is a re-imagining of Sophocles’s classic tale and is one third of Luis Alfaro’s Greek trilogy. The other two works include Sophocles’ Electra and Euripides’ Medea. Oedipus El Rey is shared through a distinct lens about a man wrestling with destiny.

Hana S. Kim’s barebones set comes to life through mystical, biblical, modern, and kaleidoscopic projected landscapes from shooting stars to prison bars to floral gardens. One of my favorite set pieces was the ice cream cart! Greco makes the most out of the intimate staging through the depiction of motion and scenes occurring side by side. From finely-detailed and mythological headdresses to modern orange emblazoned jumpsuits and track suits with thick gold chains and baseball hats to chic denim and Latino-inspired gowns, Hana S. Kim ties together this tale transcending time right down to Jocasta’s laced up Greek sandals.

Javier David in Oedipus El Rey; directed by Loretta Greco; photo by Marc J. Franklin

Set in a contemporary urban Los Angeles landscape, Oedipus El Rey delivers universal themes with a dose of mysticism about the cost of relentless pride and infallibility. This world is raw and gritty while possessing its own distinct energy. It has a passing resemblance to Baz Luhrman’s gritty setting in Romeo and Juliet which takes place in California and combines Mexico City, Miami and Los Angeles with Catholic imagery.

If you don’t already know this classic story, it is a poignant tale not for the faint at heart featuring a group of wise and discerning narrators who also act as a Greek chorus delivering a mix of satirical humor and commentary that can lighten this production’s heavier elements.

Shared in a penitentiary setting, this Greek chorus disguised as inmates not only keep time, but assume a number of pivotal roles. Jaime José Hernández, Victor Almanzar, Javier David, and Gabe Martínez share a fascinating and seemingly easygoing and amiable rapport delivering relatable, modern, dark and humorous commentary as they share this fluctuating tale that is once cynically amusing, grim the next and thoroughly intense. It boasts music, celebration and comedy while still possessing all the elements to this at times shocking classic tale. Alongside Juan Arturo as Oedipus, the group displays athleticism, activity and prowess with an urgency to outrun or outsmart their ultimate fate.

Domineering gang leader Laius, fiercely portrayed by Gabe Martínez, learns he is expecting a baby with Melisa Soledad Pereyra as Laius’s faithful wife Jocasta. However, when a seer foretells the baby’s fate, Laius takes drastic measures to prevent Oedipus’s ultimate destiny.

Juan Arturo, Melisa Pereyra in Oedipus El Rey; directed by Loretta Greco; photo by Marc J. Franklin

Juan Arturo as Oedipus sharply mixes hubris, resentment, rage and sympathy in a textured and intense performance. Oedipus is a victim of circumstance and longs for meaning veiled in relentless ego and pride and brings overriding sympathy but not endearment beneath an array of shocking actions.

Victor Almanzar in Oedipus El Rey; directed by Loretta Greco; photo by Marc J. Franklin

Oedipus and Victor Almanzar as Tirasius share a complex and compelling relationship. Almanzar is particularly impressive as compassionate Tirasius who possesses profound power behind stirring humility. Melisa Soledad Pereyra also stands out as traditional and powerfully faithful Jocasta who demonstrates resilience through her struggle and resentment and Jaime José Hernández is charismatic as Jocasta’s protective brother Creon.

Jaime José Hernández in Oedipus El Rey; directed by Loretta Greco; photo by Marc J. Franklin

While I’m not a fan of Greek mythology and the classic tale of Oedipus isn’t one of my favorites, I can appreciate its resounding significance and moral messages. What I enjoyed about Oedipus El Rey is its liveliness and the imaginative retelling while still managing to stay true to its timeless mythological roots. The dark and occasionally lighthearted humor unexpectedly made me laugh quite a few times even as this troubling tale reached its inevitable climax and for that, I am grateful.

L to R: Victor Almanzar, Javier David, Juan Arturo,Gabe Martínez in Oedipus El Rey; directed by Loretta Greco; photo by Marc J. Franklin

The Huntington continues Luis Alfaro’s Oedipus El Rey live and in person at Calderwood Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts extended through Sunday, June 14. This semi-interactive and bilingual production contains adult themes and content including nudity. Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Immersive and insightful, Museum of Science’s ‘Medusa: Reclaiming the Myth’ cleverly reveals the woman behind the monster

Posted on September 11, 2019 by The Sleepless Critic

The beauty of mythology is how outlandish a tale can be while still conveying a powerful, contemporary message. ‘Medusa: Reclaiming the Myth‘ with ‘What Time is it, Mr. Fox?’ is an immersive, multimedia experience that weaves live music with a classic tale…and a twist.

For three Thursday nights during the summer with a final performance that took place on August 22, The Museum of Science in Boston’s Charles Hayden Planetarium presented a theatrical experience that conveyed messages of female empowerment, human nature’s capacity for cruelty and shallowness, and more through this classic mythological tale. Click here for the full trailer.

It was part of an adult series (18+) which continues with ‘Subspace: Redefining the Adult Experience’ throughout the fall. This dynamic series includes Storytelling, Halloween Happening, the music of Stevie Nicks, a night with Isabella Rossellini, and much more. The Museum of Science is located at 1 Science Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Click here for the full schedule and ticket information.

Imagery of the legendary creature, Medusa Photo credit to ‘Medusa: Reclaiming the Myth’

‘Man plans and God laughs’ takes on a whole new meaning when breathtakingly beautiful Medusa plans to become a priestess to Athena. However, what she thought was her path became a sordid journey. Told in flashback in Crete 1100 B.C., ‘Medusa: Reclaiming the Myth’ offered humor, violence, and beauty weaved into an insightful, message-driven tale.

Packed with illustrations depicted more artistically than realistically by animators Ruth Lingford and Norah Solorzano, this panoramic experience combined with the Charles Hayden Planetarium’s supersonic sound creates a mesmerizing journey through the world of Ancient Greece. Rich blue skies, the star-studded cosmos, and dark, raging oceans were just glimpses into this mesmerizing experience.

The band, ‘What Time is it, Mr. Fox?’ Photo credit to ‘What Time is it, Mr. Fox?’

As the tale unfolded, the haunting and emotive sounds of acoustic neo-soul group, ‘What Time is it, Mr. Fox’ performed original songs that emphasized the madness, grief, tyranny, and danger within this tale. With vivid lyrics such as, “We can do a lot more with this kind of rage,” “Trying to breathe while learning to drown,” and “You’re going to wind up dead if the devil gets in,” this dynamic group’s jazz-infused interludes between scenes not only enhanced what the characters were thinking, but the journey itself. Front and center and bathed in blue light, a few of the most beautiful orchestrations included On Fire, Learning to Drown, The Witness, and Into the Black.

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The men were depicted as arrogant and narcissistic and the conversations between the gods had their moments of humor, chemistry, gossip, and power talks. However, what made the tale so intriguing was it offered a more rounded, sympathetic view of the legendary Medusa while sharing various interpretations of her through statues and illustrations. ‘Medusa: Reclaiming the Myth’ means to shatter those preconceived notions of this mythological, snake-haired creature and bring her to a place of mercy and anguish, powerful but yielding, and facing issues that were not so different than they are today. She was a myth, a monster, but still a woman.

Though this show has completed its run, ‘Medusa: Reclaiming the Myth’ may still have a future beyond its time at the Museum of Science. Click here to learn more about ‘Medusa Reclaiming the Myth’ and here for more on the band, ‘What Time is It, Mr. Fox.’ The Museum of Science offers programs throughout the year and continues ‘Subspace Redefining the Adult Experience‘ through the fall.