‘Mojada’: Immigration Becomes a Greek Tragedy
“Mojada” means “wet” in Spanish, and in Luis Alafaro’s play, a reworking of Medea that opens at the Public Theater on Wednesday night (to Aug. 11), it is a word that comes to have many meanings, from the comfort of rain to Medea herself (Sabina Zúñiga Varela) lying on the floor, pleading for her life, accepting the racist insult “wetback” aimed against her and other undocumented Mexican immigrants.
This critic saw the play, originally written in 2013 and directed by Chay Yew, on the day that ICE raids against undocumented immigrants were due to unfold, and consequently this story, with its cloak of Greek tragedy, had an added charge.
The play opens with Medea, partner Jason (Alex Hernandez), son Acan (Benjamin Luis McCracken), and the older woman Tita (Socorro Santiago), now in Corona, Queens. They are a family not wholly united by marriage and biology, but close nevertheless. Varela is a piercing performer, and McCracken sweet and spontaneous.