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Overview
Synopsis
Devoted wife and mother Medea will make any sacrifice in order to support her husband, Hason, in his dream to make a better life in the United States. After a perilous and traumatic crossing from their home in Zamora, Medea, Hason, their son Acan, and their servant Tita, arrive in Los Angeles. Hason is hired by the wealthy and powerful construction magnate Armida, and she determines to marry him - and get Medea out of the picture. Medea, driven to madness by her husband’s betrayal, murders Armida and Acan in a devastating act of vengeance.
Luis Alfaro’s lyrical and provocative adaptation of the Greek drama Medea re-frames Euripdes’ narrative in the complicated landscape of present-day Los Angeles. Alfaro’s Medea - an outsider like her ancient namesake - is as beautiful and vicious as ever. A touch of magical realism elevates this classic examination of “otherness,” made more complex by the matters of class, economic power, cultural identity, and legality that follow immigrant communities over the borders they cross.
Show Information
- Book
- Luis Alfaro
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Medea
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- First Produced
- 2012
- Genres
- Drama, Tragedy
- Settings
- Contemporary
- Time & Place
- Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. Present day.
- Cast Size
- small
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- Dramatists Play Service
- Ideal For
- College/University, Diverse Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Child, Mature Adult Characters, Small Cast
Context
Mojada is a modern immigrant story, based on one of the oldest immigrant stories in history, Medea. As in Euripides’ ancient play, Alfaro’s adaptation explores themes of xenophobia, assimilation, ambition, and sacrifice.
The script had its premiere at the Magic Theatre in San Francisco in 2012 under its original title Bruja. In 2013, Alfaro made the decision to re-title the work Mojada, a Spanish-language slur for illegal immigrants. Alfaro has publicly acknowledged the controversy
to read the context for Mojada and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
PROLOGUE
Tita, described as a viejita (a little old lady), enters the stage and addresses the audience directly, asking them how they are and if they have any gossip. She complains that in the United States, everyone is so careful with their gossip; back home in Mexico, she could ask anyone on the street about anything and get a candid response. She tells them briefly of her history, describing how as a child she was sold to Medea’s parents, and became her servant. She loves Medea dearly,
to read the plot for Mojada and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
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Videos
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