Theatre News Wire

Victory Gardens Theater announces the world premiere of Mojada by VG Associate Artist Luis Alfaro as its final play of the 2012-2013 season. Mojada will replace Ensemble Playwright Marcus Gardley's previously announced Chicago is Burning. Mojada will run July 12-August 11, 2013, and Press Opening will be Monday, July 22, 2013 at 7:30pm.

From the author of last season's critically-acclaimed Oedipus El Rey, Mojada is a breathtaking reimagining of Euripides' Medea transported to Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. Medea, a young, gifted curandera (healer) in exile, is running from a past filled with betrayals. With husband Jason and her son in tow, the illegal immigrant is caught in a struggle to adapt to the modern world. Alfaro's stunning modern take on the Greek myth tackles American immigration, family, tradition, culture and the explosive moment when they all collide.

Chicago is Burning has been postponed while Marcus Gardley continues work on the play. Victory Gardens intends to find the appropriate time to present Gardley's play when it is ready for production.

"We're very excited to welcome Luis Alfaro back to Victory Gardens with the world premiere of Mojada. When Luis was in rehearsals with Oedipus el Rey this past summer, we talked much about his writing a new play specifically for the Mexican American community here in Chicago," says Chay Yew. "We explored the possibility of producing his new play Bruja, his adaptation of Medea. However, during our dramaturgical sessions and his frequent visits to Pilsen, Luis began to see Bruja with a different set of eyes. Starting with a page one rewrite, Luis and I spent time collaborating and workshopping the new and different version of the play, relocating the play to Chicago. Emotionally raw, political, poignant and powerful, Luis' Mojada was born."

"Chicago has become both an artistic home and a source of great inspiration for me. I am so excited to be invited back to Victory Garden's Theater to collaborate with a great group of artists, led by good friend Chay Yew", comments Luis Alfaro. "I spent the summer meeting the communities that make up every neighborhood in this amazing city and I was taken by the diversity and politics that Chicagoans wrestle with daily. Chicago is the third largest Latino city in the country. Neighborhoods like Pilsen, Little Village and Humboldt Park come with celebration, as well as challenges. Once again, I am using the Greek myths as a way of having a conversation with the Victory Gardens' audience about the issues that all of us face as citizens in this great country."