Magic Theatre Presents World Premiere of Luis Alfaro’s BRUJA, Now thru June 24

Magic Theatre welcomes back award-winning playwright Luis Alfaro with the world premiere of Bruja, a reimagining of Euripides' Medea, running from tongiht, May 24 - June 24. From the critically acclaimed writer of Oedipus el Rey, comes a contemporary story so haunting and sensual, it explodes one of the ancient myths most firmly embedded in our culture.

Luis Alfaro's relationship with Magic Theatre began in 2010 with the world premiere of his smoldering and unforgettable play Oedipus el Rey, winner of the 2010 Will Glickman Award. Two years later, he returns to Magic Theatre with the world premiere of his powerful new play Bruja. Set in the Mission District of San Francisco, Bruja is a sizzling look at a sorceress scorned.

Magic Theatre will welcome back to its stage Bay Area favorites Sean San Jose (Tree City Legends and Sunday Will Come, Intersection for the Arts), Carlos Aguirre (Oedipus El Rey, Magic Theatre; Day of Absence, Lorraine Hansberry Theatre; Hunter's Point, Strange Angel's Theatre), Wilma Bonet (Almost Nothing, The Lorraine Hansberry Theater; Lydia, Marin Theatre Company; September Shoes, Denver Center Theatre Company) and Armando Rodriguez (Oedipus el Rey, Magic Theatre; Paper Doll, Pittsburgh Public Theater, What a Little Moonlight Can Do, Theatre 22). Magic Theatre is also excited to introduce Magic newcomer Sabina Zuniga Varela (Magdalena Cantata and Still Life, National Hispanic Cultural Center; El Nogalar, The Fountain Theatre) as Medea. Two pairs of young actors will alternate as Medea's children: Daniel Vigil / Mason Kreis and Daniel Castaneda / Gavilan Gordon-Chavez.

Born and raised in the Pico-Union district of downtown Los Angeles, Alfaro is the recipient of a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation fellowship, popularly known as a "genius grant," awarded to people who have demonstrated expertise and exceptional creativity in their respective fields. A Rockefeller Fellow and University of California Regents Chair Fellow, he is the only artist to have won two awards in the same year from The Kennedy Center's Fund for New American Plays. He is also the recipient of awards from the National Endowment of the Arts, Theatre Communications Group, and PEN USA, among others.

Loretta Greco, Magic Theatre's Producing Artistic Director stated, "Bruja is a heartbreaking look at a family torn apart through the lens of the immigrant experience. It is pure Alfaro in its sensual muscularity, cultural and social intrigue. I'm thrilled to welcome Sean San Jose back to our stage after ten years and to introduce a staggering talent: Sabina Zuniga Varela."

Bruja features scenic design by Andrew Boyce (The Lily's Revenge and Annapurna, Magic Theatre; Twelfth Night, Westport Country Playhouse; Dreams of Flying, Dreams of Falling, Atlantic Theatre Company, NY), costume design by Alex Jaeger (Annapurna, Oedipus el Rey and Mauritius, Magic Theatre; Maple and Vine and Once in a Lifetime, American Conservatory Theater; August: Osage County and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Oregon Shakespeare Festival), lighting design by Eric Southern (The Secret Agent, Avignon Opera House and as part of the Armel International Opera Festival in Szeged Hungary; Cymbeline, Portland Center Stage; The Last 5 Years, Crossroads Theater), and sound design by Jake Rodriguez (Annapurna and Oedipus el Rey, Magic Theatre; Scorched and Maple and Vine, American Conservatory Theater; Clementine in the Lower 9, TheatreWorks).

For more information or to purchase tickets, go online to www.magictheatre.org or call the box office at 415-441-8822.

Now celebrating its 45th year, Magic Theatre is dedicated to the cultivation of innovative plays, playwrights, and audiences through explosive and entertaining productions of original work. Working side-by-side with adventuresome playwrights, Magic Theatre fosters new works from page to stage as world premieres, or seizes the rare opportunity to further develop a new work with a second or third production. The list of playwrights cultivated and premiered at Magic Theatre includes: Sam Shepard, Michael McClure, Octavio Solis, Nilo Cruz, Paula Vogel, Rebecca Gilman, Lloyd Suh, Taylor Mac, Theresa Rebeck, and Luis Alfaro, to name few. Experience new play development at Magic Theatre.

Photo Credit: Logan Ellis, Magic Theatre.

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