The Comedy of Oedipus

• Directing

The Comedy of Oedipus was written in 1970 by Egyptian playwright Ali Salem. Though the play has been translated into English several times, it had never been produced before in English. The play is a political satire. The people of Thebes are being terrorized by the Sphinx. Oedipus promises that he will rid them of the Sphinx in exchange for becoming king and marrying the queen. When he does so, he invents 5000 years of technology in a few days. However, the political problems of corruption and police brutality continue. Oedipus learns that it is not technology that is the solution to society’s woes, nor a particular leader. Rather it is teaching man to overcome fear that will truly liberate him. This project included a collaboration with visual artist Liese Zahabi .