Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended
"... One does a fair amount of gasping in fear at this show, which is a fine thing at a tragedy, especially when leavened, as is the case here, with pity for lost souls buffeted by the preening, violence of a world they did not invent, but in which they must survive. Yew grasps the iconic nature of the story, and also the need to ensure it is specific and intimate, moving his actors quickly and unpretentiously through all corners of this theatrical landscape, and freezing his viewers to their seats with the pain and inevitability of recognition."
Windy City Times - Highly Recommended
"...Even if you don't buy into Alfaro's sociological subtext, his transposition of classical rhetoric to modern idiom is as impressive in its dictional accuracy as it is spellbinding in its polyglot eloquence. However, if your fancy doesn't run toward scholarly analyses of any kind, there is still the blood-stirring viscerality of Chay Yew's high-voltage direction, incorporating orchestrated speech and Ryan Bourque's riveting kinetic panoramas. (The conjuring of the riddling sphinx from a trio of shape-shifting curanderos is a sight to terrify the most skeptical playgoer.)"
Centerstage - Somewhat Recommended
"... The first few weaving attempts might not be the most graceful; so it is with this production. There are substantial holes in the script and the direction that are in sore need of repair. As with anything worthwhile, integrating will take hard work and practice. But I will guarantee you this: after we get the hang of it, the resulting fabric will be beautiful and something every one of us in this nation will be very proud of."
Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended
"... Oedipus El Rey is Luis Alfaro’s vision of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex seen through the prism of modern Latino life, specifically gang culture as it melds with the traditions and values of the barrio in east Los Angeles. The drama at Victory Gardens is powerful and riveting, which proves that a classic remains a classic, whether it’s set in ancient Greece or the modern prisons and barrios of California."
ChicagoCritic - Recommended
"... Fate is hinted by the blind surrogate father played by Eddie Torres that we see as the elders seal Oedipus’ tragic fate. Madrid St. Angelo is commanding as the king and as a member of the Greek chorus. This 90 minute tragedy is quite Latino depicting the underbelly of LA street gangs. The struggle for power and recognition as well as the fate of such pursuits comes to dramatic climax in this past-faced and visceral production. Risking portraying Latinos as gang bangers, still this production tries to expose the underrepresented community of gangs that under the radar rule and control over a million members nationwide. Highlighting gangs is a valid first step in searching for a method to contain their violent actions. How better that the Oedipus tragedy to expose the problem?"
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Highly Recommended
"...The gang and prison cultures are amazingly timeless illustrations for this Greek folklore. This myth translated into Spanglish is a mind-opener. The cyclical nature of love, violence, power… I finally see this tragic story for its raw humanity. Was this fated? OEDIPUS EL REY is steered by an undeniable powerful force."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"... This is a story that makes much more sense to a larger audience because it is filled with incidents that we are more aware of. Each week-end we hear about the drug busts, the gang violence, the killings and the problems of the street. Alfaro chose to “reboot” this story into a modern day one that deals with the people of a particular culture, but this could easily have been any ethnicity that has a similar background. The prison culture, as shown in this story doesn’t really change the person or his or her life choices. In fact, the younger ones learn from the older prisoners and in many cases are placed in new gangs, ones that have higher goals. It is Alfaro’s contention that viewing this production may just be the tool that will open the eyes of many Americans who are either blind to what happens in the “hoods” or just chooses to ignore and cross the street. Again- the choics we make may have an effect on our next generations. This is one that I would ask you to put on your MUST SEE list."
