Oedipus El Rey
May 7 – June 7, 2026
Written by Luis Alfaro
Directed by Huntington Artistic Director Loretta Greco
The Roberts Theatre at The Huntington Calderwood, 527 Tremont St. Boston, MA 02116
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Approximate Run Time: TBD
Content Advisories: TBD
Access Performance Dates: TBD
Synopsis:
Luis Alfaro reimagines Sophocles’ classic in his acclaimed and electrifying Oedipus El Rey, set in the heart of Los Angeles. Oedipus dreams of rewriting his own story — but liberation comes at a price: can he truly escape the destiny laid out before him? What’s fate, and what’s just the system? A searing tale of love, family, and prophecy, Oedipus El Rey blends ancient myth with modern urgency and Chicano swagger with swaths of sly humor. Artistic Director Loretta Greco, who led the acclaimed premiere of Oedipus El Rey at The Magic Theatre, creates a production especially for Boston.
From Playwright Luis Alfaro
“It’s such a joy to see Oedipus El Rey making its debut in Boston, where I spent a considerable amount of my time as an up-and coming artist, first in poetry, performance art and finally, theater. I always wished that this play’s themes would lose their resonance as we continue to practice democracy in our culture. Instead, our reliance on the prison industrial complex has continued to grow and become a fabric of American life. The classic Greek play asks us one question of how we make society, ‘Is it destiny or is it fate?’ and we continue to wrestle with these ideas in our public spaces of inquiry, the theatre being one of vital spirituality and importance. I can’t wait to see what audiences think.”
From Artistic Director Loretta Greco
“Luis Alfaro is one of our national treasures. A poet, playwright, teacher, and activist, Luis creates award-winning work that has resonated across cultures and generations for decades. Audiences in San Francisco and cities throughout the country have been mesmerized as this young Oedipus traverses the world of today while poignantly wrestling with the ancient predicament of fate and hubris. I am so looking forward to revisiting Luis’s masterwork and sharing its urgency, humanity, Chicano swagger, hilarity, and heart with Boston audiences.”