'Oedipus el Rey' ★★★★

( July 20, 2012 )

Luis Alfaro's tight, fierce, gripping new adaptation of the Oedipus tragedy transplants the action to South Central Los Angeles. And the Latino gangland, with its kingpins, parallel city-states and love of myths, turns out to be a very potent setting for Sophocles' story. One does a fair amount of gasping in fear at director Chay Yew's unstinting and deftly cast production, which is a fine thing at a tragedy, especially when it's leavened with pity for lost souls buffeted by the preening violence of a world they did not invent, but in which they must survive.

Through July 29 at the Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.; $20-$50 at 773-871-3000 or victorygardens.org