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The tragedy of “Medea” reinvented as a laugh-out-laugh farce?  “Medea’s got some issue” is the mischievous brainchild of Spanish award winning playwright Emilio Williams. Williams, a native of Madrid, Spain, recently moved to Chicago where he premiered this summer, to much critical acclaim, his play “Smartphones, a pocket-size farce”.

Once again, the playwright presents a madcap, hysterical and dark comedy, this time around, using the Euripidesʼ classic tragedy as inspiration.

 

More than 2,400 years after the premiere of her plays a Latina version of Medea,  presents without inhibitions, the mitigating and sordid factors surrounding her infamous case: from the sexual haste of her husband, Jason, to the misogynistic and xenophobic environment of classical Corinth.

The one woman show stars Ana Asensio, an actress from Spain who lives and works in New York City.

‎Emilio Williams Q&A at Nytheatre.com.

Medea's Got Some Issues:
Emilio Williams

An nytheatre.com Q&A

Q: What is your job on this show?

A: Playwright

Q: What type of theater do you like most to work on?

A: I love intimate spaces under 100 seats. I'm most interested in words and acting. I love theatrical experiences that don't depend on bells and whistles. I'm suspicious of productions that abuse gimmicks and the use of technical spectacle. Usually that kind of theater is either compensating for a bad script or is underestimating its audience's ability to be entertained without the need for a circus experience.

Q: Why is this piece a solo play (rather than a multi-actor play)?

A: I write for actors.I wanted to write a piece that would be a vehicle for a great actress. The play is a tribute to actresses who get too close to their roles (in this case Medea) The actress playing Medea defends her so much, she must make use and abuse of demagogy. (And important theme for me) I was interested in making the Euripides classic accessible to all, and a one woman show was for me a great format to make that play more down to Earth.

Q: Who are some of the people who helped you create this show, and what were their important contributions to the finished product?

A: The original idea for this show was inspired by my friend and muse, actress Mercedes Herrero. She always defends her villains with such enthusiasm I though it would be great to see her defending Medea. I finished my first draft in Spain, working with a great actress Debora Izaguirre. We worked on the draft for months. I developed special sections to match her skills. It was a great challenge for both of us. Her premiere in Madrid was one of the most beautiful theatrical experiences of my career. Ana Asensio, who works and lives in New York city asked me for a play to work on. I translated and adapted this piece for her. It's a different show but I love it as much as the original. Ana has a great balance between passion and kindness. She is a pleasure to work with and she is very loyal. She understands the priorities in life and art. I'm very grateful to both Debora and Ana for bringing my Medea to live with such commitment, intensity and humor.

Q: For Election season: which American political figure do you think would like your show best, and why: Barack Obama, Ann Romney, Paul Ryan, or Hilary Clinton?

A: This is easy: Hilary. I think she would relate to this strong woman, in a man's worlds, who is not willing to take prisoners. Also, Bill Clinton reminds me of Jason. And Monica would be the Princess of Corinth.

Q: How important is diversity to you in the theater you see/make?

A: In the US, I'm very committed to develop great roles for under-represented minorities, and actors with accents. Our films, TV and theater roles represent characters who do not look or sound like everyday people. And when they do, they are stereotypes developed by White Straight Men. I think is ridiculous that actors with accents are not giving a fair chance in such a diverse country as this one.

More Q&As with artists from this show:

Ana Asensio 

At United Solo Festival (Off-Broadway)

United Solo, the world’s largest solo theatre festival, has selected“Medea’s Got Some Issues” to be part of its 2012 Edition. 

The comedy will be presented as a one-night only October 12, 2012 at 7:30pm at Theater Row (410 West 42nd Street)

For more information visit:

http://unitedsolo.org/us/archives/2360

TICKETS, with a price of $18, are available at the Theatre ROW Box Office and online through Telecharge at www.telecharge.com.

3 nights in Chicago

"Medea's got some issue" will receive its Midwestern Premiere September 27th at 7:30pm at Luna Central, the home of Teatro Luna, the all Latina theater company.

About Emilio Williams

Emilio Williams is a playwright and stage director. He is widely regarded in Spain as one of the most promising new voices of the stage.

In 2010, his alternative hit comedy “Tables and Beds” was selected among 80 plays from 12 countries as the winner of the IV Premio El Espectaculo Teatral.

This year his comedy, “Smartphones- a Pocket Size Farce” received its world premiere at Trap Door Theater in Chicago, the city where he currently resides.

His next world premiere “Your Problem with Men” is currently under-development at Teatro Luna, the all Latina theater assemble from Chicago.

About Ana Asensio

Ana Asensio is an actress, producer and director who currently divides her time between her native Madrid and New York City.

Asensio’s film acting credits include: "The Afterlight," co-directed by Craig Macneill and Alexei Kaleina; "The Archive," by Oscar winning director Ethan Spiglan; "Zenith," by Vladan Nikolic; and, the HBO short film, "Betty La Flaca," by Hugo Perez.

Asensio’s most significant theatrical role to date has been in the one-woman play, “La Diva,” by award winning playwright, Jeronimo Lopez Mozo, that she translated to English, adapted and directed.  “La Diva” has been performed in Europe, Africa and North America. 

Currently, Asensio is developing her first feature film as a writer/director that will be shot in NYC.