The U.S. premiere of “Medea”, currently in production at Steppenwolf’s 1700 theatre, 1700 N. Halsted, through October 8th, is part of “Destinos”, the first Chicago International Latino Theater Festival. Performed in Spanish with projected English translation, “Medea” stars Marian Pabón and features an artistic team of Director Julio Ramos; Playwright/Adaptation by Marian Pabón; Scenic Designer José Manuel Díaz; Lighting Designer Jorge Ramírez; Costume Designer Alba Kercadó; and Sound Designer José “Chenan” Martínez.
The promotional literature on this production suggests that “Medea” asks the question, “What cause or excuse could any person give to try and justify what is considered to be the worst of all crimes – killing your own children?” Based in part on Greek tragedies, “Medea”, this play from Puerto Rico’s Arte Boricua “is designed to humanize, and perhaps understand, a woman that has been scorned through the ages: Medea.” Surely, in any time, in any context, no matter the provocation, infanticide is a mad idea.
“Medea”, by Euripides and also by Seneca, was itself based upon the myth of Jason and Medea, a princess of Colchis, and the wife of Jason who abandons her and their two small sons for a Greek princess of Corinth. Medea wreaks a terrible vengeance by killing Jason’s new wife as well as her own children; she then flees to Athens. The big difference between the 2 ancient Greek presentations are that in Euripides’ version, Medea is a tortured instrument of fate, while in Seneca’s version, she takes fate into her own hands.
Considered shocking in its time, “Medea” has remained part of the tragic repertoire, and in modern times gained renewed attention, especially with the emergence of the feminist movement, because of its nuanced and sympathetic portrayal of Medea’s struggle to take charge of her own life in a male-dominated world. The play has remained the most frequently performed Greek tragedy through the 20th century.
Arte Boricua’s new version of the age-old story adds a fresh perspective on the tale in that it seeks to psychoanalyze Medea, the murderess. We are taken directly into her pain, anguish, broken honor. This is a woman scorned to the nth degree. She would have us believe she commits infanticide to save the boys from the shame of bastardy.
However, two important points are made: 1) She had killed family members before- she killed and dismembered her own brother (fratricide) in order to elope with Jason! 2) Her response to rejection, painful to see and absorb, is Olympian. Throughout the presentation, it is emphasized repeatedly that this is a woman who is descended from/related to the gods. She performs magical curses, has outsize thoughts.
Thus, the audience is spared-in a way-from condemning her utterly; her awful murders are those of a demon, not a flesh and blood mother that anyone could empathize with.
The one-woman presentation was startlingly real, believable, intensely conceived and projected. The sound effects and music were strong, eerie. The stage set was realistic in its spare and ancient feel. The white bloodstained chiton worn by Medea was elegant and gory. Kudos to the production team, director and the author/star. The audience Q and A afterwards with director Ramos and playwright/actor Pabón, who had researched the history behind Medea for a year and a half before adapting the play, was illuminating and intriguing, especially the exclamation by Pabón, “Medea was an insane killer! She went on to kill again and again”.
Steppenwolf’s “LookOUT” Series is a venue partner for “DESTINOS”, the inaugural Chicago International Latino Theater Festival, a month-long festival of “First voice” plays and panels produced by the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance. Each weekend in October 2017, Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theatre will feature the work of daring Latino companies from around the globe.
There is still time to see “Medea”; Sunday October 8 at 2 PM
Ticket Price: $25
Tickets to all the Chicago International Latino Theater Festival plays are now on sale and are available for purchase at http://www.clata.org/festival-schedule
All photos courtesy of Chicago Latino Theater Alliance
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