By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
Getty Villa Museum and Troubadour Theater Company will present performances of “Oedipus the King, Mama!” between September 4 and 27.
“In this production of the classic story of Oedipus, LA’s beloved Troubadour Theater Company gets Sophocles’ King Oedipus ‘All Shook Up’ with the musical stylings of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley,” read information from Getty. “In ‘Oedipus the King, Mama!’ plot twists and pelvic thrusts are plentiful, and a live band accompanies the salacious story. Fighting to find out the ugly truth, Oedipus gives in to ‘Suspicious Minds’ and digs deep into his past … only to find a forbidden future—and the meaning of blind ambition.”
The show marks the 19th annual Villa Outdoor Classical Theater production and the third production of Troubadour Theater Company at the space. The company has three decades of history—including 16 years of collaborating with Getty.
“It is special to have such a long-time collaborator and company from Los Angeles bring their talents to the Palisades community for what will undoubtedly be an entertaining show,” said Timothy Potts, Maria Hummer-Tuttle and Robert Tuttle director of the Getty Museum.
The production was previously part of the Villa’s 2009 Theater Lab series, according to Getty. It is adapted and directed by Troubadour Theater Company Artistic Director Matt Walker.
The cast includes Walker as Oedipus, Cloie Taylor as Shepherd, Beth Kennedy as Jocasta, Rick Batalla as Creon, Mike Sulprizio as Teiresias, Steven Booth as Young Oedipus, Suzanne Jolie Narbonne as Ismene/Chorus, Lara Lafferty as Antigone/Chorus, Philip McNiven as Messenger and Katie Malia as Sphinx attendant.
“We’re so thankful for our long-time artistic collaboration with the Getty,” Walker said. “They truly support artists and always bring out the best in us. ‘Oedipus the King, Mama!’ has a gifted cast of 10 actors who sing, dance, clown and improvise their way through an 80-minute-romp—as well as a live band and brilliant designers who are transforming the Villa into Graceland West.”
Previous co-productions between the company and Getty include “LIZASTRATA” in 2021 and “Haunted House Party” in 2016.
Performances will take place Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. at 17985 Pacific Coast Highway. An American Sign Language-interpreted performance will take place September 18. There are previews August 28 to 30.
Tickets are on sale now. Thursday night performances are $45, or $40 for students and seniors. Friday night is $50 and Saturday night $55.
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