Just when you think the Troubies can’t get any better, they go ahead and OEDIPUS THE KING, MAMA! Yes, that title is in fact – a verb. Because after this comic intertwining of Greek tragedy and Elvis impersonation you too will be, “All Shook Up! Hm, ooh, yeah-yeah, yeah!”
The Troubadour Theater Company was absolutely at their best, under the stars at The Getty Villa for the annual outdoor classical opening night. But don’t expect any boring togas, mournful monologues or woeful laments. OEDIPUS THE KING, MAMA! is all free-wheeling, Rockabilly and R&B, commedia dell’arte-flavored, slapstick musical dramedy. And it is delivered absolutely on point by Matt Walker, Steven Booth, Beth Kennedy, Rick Batalla, Phillip McNiven, Mike Sulprizio, Chloe Wyatt Taylor, Katie Malia and Suzanne Jolie. They’re simply awesome!
If you’re not familiar with OEDIPUS REX, also known by its Greek title, OEDIPUS TYRANNUS, also called OEDIPUS THE KING, the ancient play is an Athenian tragedy by Sophocles. It was debatably performed somewhere around c. 429 BC, and continues to be one of the most popular in the tragic Greek cannon. This is perhaps in part thanks to Sigmund Freud who coined, for all time its ick factor, as a psychological (Oedipal Complex) concept. And the Troubies have not altered a thing about it. Other than, of course, making it as outlandishly, concomitantly authentic as you might imagine it instead. That is, if Greek tragedy had a sense of humor, a bit of Doo-wop, Vegas glitz and a few more boobalicioius “slinks” it its uproarious kink.
The Troubadors have set the scene smack in the middle of Malibu and travel to surrounding areas of PCH and the Santa Monica mountains. Not only is it absolutely hysterical, the location just plain works. As does everything else.
In a performance like this, it’s hard to single out just one or two actors. Especially, as the Troubies are an actual “troupe”. But Matt Walker as a twitchy Elvis/Oedipus leads this production from start to finish with absolute verve. A particularly outrageous Beth Kennedy as Priscilla/Jocasta tears up the stage, interacting with audience members in character and occasionally “loving” the set just as much as her man. The pair is entirely hokey as mama and her teddy bear. The mother/husband/son relationship is so turned on its head that it weirdly brings the tragedy into laser focus. But luckily for us, with a lot more humor. Rick Batalla brings his goofiest Crayola-stylings to Creon. Steven Booth gives all the hunkola of young Oedipus/Elvis. While the additional cast adds hallmark harmonies and rhythms. The result is pretty perfect.
While OEDIPUS THE KING, MAMA! is not a new production, it has been expanded from from its original Villa Theater Lab debut sixteen years ago, for the Getty outdoor space. And in its current form is seriously gut-busting. But no play performs on its own. Scenic, lighting, costumes, sound, choreography, hair & makeup, music, puppets and props all work beautifully to amplify the space, the characters and the comedy.
The Troubadour Theater Company has delivered nothing less than exception entertainment and artistry in OEDIPUS THE KING, MAMA!
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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OEDIPUS THE KING, MAMA!
Annual outdoor theater production at the Getty Villa Museum. Directed by Matt Walker. Co-produced by Troubadour Theater Company
September 4-27, 2025
CAST (In order of appearance): Matt Walker – Oedipus; Steven Booth – Young Oedipus; Beth Kennedy – Jocasta; Close Wyatt Taylor – Chorus/Shepherd; Rick Batalla – Creon; Lara Lafferty – Chorus/Antigone; Philip McNiven – Laius/Messenger; Mike Sulprizio – Teiresias; Katie Malia – Chorus/Young Jocasta; Suzanne Jolie – Chorus/Ismene.
PRODUCTION: Scenic Design – Evan A. Bartoletti; Lighting Design – Bo Tindell; Costume Design – Sharon McGunigle; Sound Design – Robert Arturo Ramirez; Hair & Makeup Design – Suzanne Jolie; Music Supervisor – Eric Heinly; Musical Director – Benet Braun; Movement Consultant – Molly Alvarez Booth; Puppet & Prop Design – Matt Scott; Production Stage Manager – Karen Osborne; Asst. Stage Manager – Benji Kaufman.
Lead Image: Beth Kennedy as Jocasta and Matt Walker as Oedipus in foreground and Philip McNiven as
Laius in background © 2025 J. Paul Getty Trust. Images © Craig Schwartz Photography.
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