Charlotte production takes Oedipus takes Latino focus 

JOAN MARCUS

The cast of Luis Alfaro's "Oedipus El Rey," the final installment of his trilogy. Three Bone Theatre's production is May 1-17.

Latin voices are amplified by Greek tragedy in a Charlotte stage production.

Three Bone Theatre’s “Oedipus El Rey” is the final installment of Luis Alfaro’s trilogy. Written by Alfaro and directed by Rod Oden, the production will run May 1-17, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Performances will be held at Arts Factory, 1545 W Trade St. Tickets can be purchased online at threebonetheatre.com/events/2526/oedipus-el-rey.

The theater is the first in the nation to produce all three of Alfaro’s works. The trilogy includes “Electricidad,” “Oedipus El Rey” and “Mojada.” Oedipus El Rey is a contemporary retelling of the Greek tragedy, making commentary on incarceration.

“I'm hoping that will connect with audiences so that they see the power of the story and the warning of the story of Oedipus on top of trying to get a voice out there for those that really need to have one, those marginalized communities,” Oden said.

In the original story, prophecy reveals Oedipus will kill his father and marry his mother. Oedipus tries to avoid the prophecy, which leads to him fulfilling it. In the retelling, a young man navigates real life institutions and social barriers and tries to build a life outside of what is expected of him.

Both stories discuss fate vs. free will and if it's possible to change a path that has been decided. Alfaro framed Greek tragedy in a new context with the goal of bringing social commentary to the incarceration system and the fatalistic nature of marginalized communities.

“It talks about how there's almost a cyclical, systemic expectation, almost a destiny, a fatalistic end to Latino culture in California, that you're going to grow up to be in a gang, and then you're going to go to prison,” Oden said.
Putting stories like this on stage gives an opportunity for Latino voices to be heard by audiences and an inside look at cultures they may not be familiar with.

“I am a fifth-generation Californian. It is a rare time that I walk in a theater, and I feel like you're talking to me, especially on the East Coast,” Oden said. “I had seen Electricidad and I was like, ‘oh, my gosh. This is my California Mexican heritage on stage.’”

In the production, Oedipus struggles to build his life back up after being incarcerated and turns back to gang violence due to a lack of support from rehabilitation systems. Framing the story in Greek tragedy aims to spark a bigger conversation.

“Asking, why do these systems persist? Why do we allow this to happen?” Oden said. “He doesn’t want to be a part of it, but he needs a job. So what does he do? He turns to the thing that's there.”

Oden said the power of Alfaro's trilogy is the platform it provides to the community to be seen and not overshadowed.

“At a time when our cultural movement, our cultural identity in theater is representing non-traditional identities and bringing binary, non-binary, non-gender specific characters and talking more about supporting our African American culture, our Latin voices are just as important.”

Comments