By Shari Barrett
Troubadour Theater Company is a freewheeling, no-holds-barred, commedia dell’arte-flavored, slapstick-driven Los Angeles-based ensemble of actors, musicians and comedians that has been performing for delighted audiences of all ages since 1995. The Troubies, as they are affectionately known, provide fast-and-loose adaptations of classic plays, literature, and films, as well as original theatrical productions and events. This September, they are celebrating 30 years of entertaining audiences in Los Angeles and 16 years of collaborating with the Getty by presenting Oedipus the King, Mama! which was previously part of the Villa’s 2009 Theater Lab series.
In true Troubies style, this production gets Sophocles’ classic tale of King Oedipus “All Shook Up” with the musical stylings of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock & Roll. Filled with delightfully irreverent plot twists and pelvic thrusts galore, an enthusiastic live band accompanies the salacious story as Oedipus fights to find out the ugly truth about his life. But once he gives in to “Suspicious Minds” and digs deep into his past, what he discovers leads to a forbidden future – and the meaning of blind ambition. Comical one-liners abound along with cleverly re-written lyrics to Elvis’ hit songs to tell the classic story about accidental patricide and incest.
Adapted and directed by Matt Walker, the artistic director of the Troubies, who brilliantly swaggers his way across the stage as Oedipus in a white jumpsuit and big hair, the cast includes Beth Kennedy as Jocasta (“a big-haired woman in love with a man in a toga”); Rick Batalla as Creon (mispronounced by Oedipus as “Crayon”); Mike Sulprizio as long-haired seer Teiresias; Steven Booth as Young Oedipus who sings up a storm as Elvis both with and without Matt Walker as adult Oedipus; soulful belter Cloie Taylor as the Shepherd; Suzanne Jolie Narbonne as Ismene/Chorus; Lara Lafferty as Antigone/Chorus; Philip McNiven as Messenger; and Katie Malia as Sphinx attendant.
Several full cast ensemble production numbers delight both fans and Troubie newbies with their sarcastic parodies of not only the play and music but also current events, such as Oedipus begging, “Don’t let them release the Oedipus files” at the end of the play!
“We’re so thankful for our long-time artistic collaboration with the Getty. They truly support artists and always bring out the best in us,” shares Matt Walker. “Oedipus the King, Mama! has a gifted cast of 10 actors who sing, dance, clown, and improvise their way through a 90-minute-romp – as well as a live band, and brilliant designers who [have transformed] the Villa into Graceland West!”
The play features creative and comical choreography by Matt Walker with an outstanding technical team including music direction by Benet Braun, costume design by Sharon McGunigle, hair, makeup, and wig design by Suzanne Narbonne, lighting design by Bo Tindell, set design by Evan Bartoletti, prop design by Matt Scott, sound design by Robert Ramirez, music supervision by Eric Heinly, and Molly Alvarez Booth as movement consultant. Producers include Mike Sulprizio, Beth Kennedy, and Matt Walker.
Due to sound level restrictions from Getty neighbors, my best advice is to sit in the first five rows of the outdoor theater as the lower sound level really made it difficult for those of us sitting in the back row to clearly hear the dialogue and song lyrics. And it was tough to miss out on what others were so loudly laughing about! And do not arrive late, unless you want to be made fun of during the entire play – another Troubies tradition.
Oedipus the King, Mama! performances continue through September 27 on Thursdays through Saturdays at 8pm on the Getty Villa’s Outdoor Theater stage. Tickets on Thursday nights are $45. ($40 for students and seniors), Friday nights are $50, and Saturday nights are $55. Student and senior discounts are available for Thursday night performances only. An American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted performance will take place on Thursday, September 18.
Tickets are available at https://www.getty.edu/calendar/oct-oedipus-the-king-mama/ or by calling (310) 440-7300. Please note, due to subject matter and adult language, Oedipus the King, Mama! is not recommended for persons under the age of 12.
The Getty Villa is located at 17985 Pacific Coast Hwy. in Pacific Palisades 90272, spared during the Palisades firestorm in January 2025 thanks to the heroic efforts by staff and first responders as hillsides and homes around the Villa burned to the ground. So be sure to notice how every inch of the lush green grounds and stunning museum facilities survived to bring richly rewarding arts entertainment to our community.
Fans of immersive theater – do not miss the world premiere of Adolescent Salvation by Tim Venable at Rogue Machine on the intimate upstairs Henry Murray Stage at the Matrix Theatre. Brilliantly directed by Guillermo Cienfuegos, the action takes place over the course of one night as three teens banter, bicker and push each other to the edge of danger through a haze of tequila, texting, and Taylor Swift. With consequences that could prove lethal by morning, this searingly funny and fearlessly inquisitive play examines characters we judge most harshly – and the fatal consequences of ignoring our own complicity in the deeds that we condemn.
Without giving too much away, one of the girls has a secret she reveals during a game of “Truth or Dare” that changes all their lives forever. And with just 33 seats in the intimate bedroom set where the action takes place, actors are always within inches of your seat, offering the experience of being even closer than a fly on the wall! The talented cast in alphabetical order includes Jenny Flack as Victoria, Michael Guarasci as Taylor M, Alexandra Lee as Taylor F, Carolina Rodriguez as Natasha, and Keith Stevenson as Mike McCaffery.
Adolescent Salvation runs at 8pm Fridays, Mondays; 5pm Saturdays, Sundays through October 12 (no performances on Mondays, September 15, 22). Rogue Machine at the Matrix Theatre is located at 7657 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles 90046. Tickets are $45 – $60 with discounts for seniors and students. Show4Less: Fridays Sept 12 (15+), Sept. 19 ($20+), Sept. 26 ($20+), Oct. 3 ($25+). For tickets and more information, visit https://www.roguemachinetheatre.org or call 855-585-5185.
