Victory Gardens Theater to Present World Premiere of MOJADA, 7/12-8/11

Victory Gardens Theater presents the world premiere of Mojada by VG Associate Artist Luis Alfaro, directed by Artistic Director Chay Yew. Mojada runs July 12-August 11, 2013 with the Press Opening on Monday, July 22, 2013 at 7:30pm at Victory Gardens Theatre, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue.

From the playwright of last season's critically-acclaimed Oedipus el Rey, Mojada is a breathtaking re-imagination of Euripides' Medea transported to Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. With her husband Jason and companion Tita in tow, Medea crosses into the United States illegally to escape a past filled with betrayal. Once here, she is caught in a struggle to adapt to the new country and to keep her family from breaking apart. Alfaro's stunning modern take on the Greek myth tackles American immigration, family, tradition, mysticism, and the explosive moment when they all collide.

"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 last 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. With Mojada, Luis has delved deeper into the issues of immigration, gender and race, created new narratives and characters, and relocated the play to Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. 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 return to Victory Gardens Theater to collaborate with an incredible group of Chicago artists, led by my good friend Chay Yew," comments Luis Alfaro. "I spent last summer meeting the communities that make up every neighborhood in this amazing city and I was completely taken with 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. As a result of my conversations with community members, I wanted to revisit the Medea myth to start a meaningful conversation about the contemporary issues that faces Chicago's Latino community. That I get an opportunity to do this and to write a new play at Victory Gardens again is even more fulfilling."

Mojada features Sandra Delgado as Medea; Charin Alvarez as Josefina; Sandra Marquez as Armeda; Juan Francisco Villa as Jason; Socorro Santiago as Tita; and Ricky Reyes and Dylan Lainez sharing the role of Acan.

The designers are Yu Shibigaki (set), David Hyman (costumes), Heather Gilbert (lights), Mikhail Fiksel (sound), Liviu Pasare (projections) and Jesse Gaffney(props). The stage manager is Tina M. Jach.

Previews of Mojada are July 12-July 21, 2013: Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 3 pm. Previews are $20-$40. Regular performances run through August 11, 2013: Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 pm; Saturday at 4 pm; Sunday at 3 pm. Regular performances are $20-$50.

Performances are at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, in the heart of Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. For tickets and information, call the Victory Gardens Box Office, 773.871.3000 (TTY: 773.871.0682), email tickets@victorygardens.org, or visit www.victorygardens.org. Ask the Box Office about student tickets ($15), senior, Access, 20 for $20, and rush discounts. For group discounts, call 773.634.9874.

A full and updated schedule of special events, post show discussions and presentations centered around performances of Mojada is available atwww.victorygardens.org.

Victory Gardens is the winner of Best Accessible Theater, Deaf Illinois Awards 2009. See www.victorygardens.org and click on "Enhance Your Visit" for information on other Access services including large print and Braille programs, assisted listening devices, and artist development workshops as well as a full schedule of special events, post-show discussions and presentations.