Mojada

Mojada

The Public Theater

August 11, 2019

Photo courtesy of The Pubilc Theater

Playwright Luis Alfaro adapts the mythological story of Medea in his play Mojada.  His writing is layered in truths that peel back to reveal the deep bonds that unite the characters.  The Public Theater production is viscerally engaging and emotionally jarring.  Director Chay Yew gradually opens the action to draw the audience in so they can fully understand the tragic events.

Benjamin Luis McCracken, Alex Hernandez,
Sabina Zuñiga Varela, & Socorro Santiago
Photo courtesy of The Public Theater

The show opens with Tita (played by Socorro Santiago) looking for the latest gossip and telling of how different it is here than her native country.  She lives with Medea (played by Sabina Zuñiga Varela), who she raised as a young girl in Mexico.  Together they teach Medea’s son Acan (played by Benjamin Luis McCracken) the rituals and customs of their native land.  Medea works from their home as a seamstress while Acan’s father, Jason (played by Alex Hernandez) works construction.  Other than to go in the back yard, Medea does not leave the house.  She shares the brutal story of their border crossing and the experiences that cause her to live in so much fear.  As Jason works tirelessly to create a prosperous life for his son, Medea feels betrayed and grows desperate.

Alex Hernandez, Socorro Santiago,
& Sabina Zuñiga Varela
Photoc courtesy of The Public Theater 

Sabina Zuñiga Varela portrays Medea’s dakness with conviction.  She is heavy hearted and full of sorrow.  As the facts of her experiences are revealed, we see these emotions are so deeply rooted in the soul of her character.  Socorro Santiago and Vanessa Aspillaga inject fast paced and well needed humor as Tita and Luisa.  Their portrayals are honest and realistic, keeping the truth of the story on track.  Benjamin Luis McCracken, Alex Hernandez, and Ada Maris also deliver strong and genuine performances as Acan, Jason, and Pilar.

Mojada has been extended at the Public Theater through August 18.  Luis Alfaro’s writing is prolific.  He brings the Medea story into a different perspective by viewing it through the lense of the present day immigrant experience. 

Domenick Danza