Sandra Delgado to Lead MOJADA at Victory Gardens Theater; Full Cast Announced!

Victory Gardens Theater announces casting for the world premiere of Mojada by VG Associate Artist Luis Alfaro, directed by Artistic Director Chay Yew. Mojada will run July 12-August 11, 2013.

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.

Mojada features Sandra Delgado as Medea; Charin Alvarez, last seen in Luis Alfaro's acclaimed Oedipus el Rey, as Josefina; Sandra Marquez as Armeda; Juan Villa as Jason; and Socorro Santiago as Tita.

"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."

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. The Press opening is Monday, July 22 at 7:30 pm. 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 at www.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.