SEX, ALCHEMY AND MAYAN MISCHIEF

Synopsis:

Benjamin and George are vacationing at a resort in Tulum, Mexico, rekindling their relationship of twenty years. After Benjamin has discovered he is a quarter Mayan, George now wants to write a book about pre-colonial gender identity politics. During George’s “interviews” he meets a Mexican young hustler named Rafi, and his pet iguana Raekwon. George introduces Rafi and his “pet” to Benjamin and Andrew, Bennie’s best friend, who is not impressed. Despite the forced pleasantries no one gets along. Tensions rise when room service arrives, delivering a secret past between the waiter and the hustler. Havoc ensues, George and Rafi leave together to share a tryst after Benjamin turns down the offer. The next morning Raekwon the iguana has a few things to say to Benjamin. Raewkon wants to enlighten Benjamin on his cultural legacy and acuity for self healing. He wants Benjamin to lose the baggage. Benjamin gains new depth, strength and observation. He learns the true meaning of magic.

Cast:

Nelson Rodriguez (Benjamin)

Jorge Aguilar (Rafi)

Jason Martin (George)

Michael Dias (Andrew)

Rafael Moreno Fracek (Arturo / Raekwon)

Juan Muñoz (Stage directions)

About William Gregory (He/Him/El):

He received his authenticity papers from Columbia College Chicago when he graduated with a Master of Arts in Creative Writing. His documentation would not come along until there was a long life of miracles and mistakes and being a bad ass in a band called Tapestry Blu. William was the lead singer- a 6’4 closeted Mayan warrior-who looked like a guero, singing in his counter tenor. Tapestry Blu was a new wave post-punk / electronica / bolero / romantic band. Welcome to the Shangri-la and Electric Butterfly were two musicals performed at Southwestern College and U.C.S.D. Respectively. His short stories Blessings and Persimmon can be found in Hairtrigger. In 2023 his one act play La Medici of Beverly Hills was chosen to be performed as part of the BIPOC festival at Perceptions Theater in Chicago. He was short-listed for the Goodman Theater New Stages festival in 2023. He is currently developing a play titled The Posthumous Diaries of Pedro Cojulun-A Fantastic Reality. The magical story of a Mayan playwrite/ visionary and activist who lived during the Banana Wars in Guatemala.

About Omar Fernandez (He/Him/El)

He is a Mexican American artist born in Chicago and raised in Berwyn, Illinois. As a playwright, Omar centers a lot of his work around identity and the new generation of art in America. “As timeless as some stories are and will be, the next groundbreaking, generation-defining, and untold stories are out there waiting for us to find them." Directing credits include: Sexopoly: A One Act by Omar Vicente Fernandez; Beautiful, Beau. by Omar Vicente Fernandez ; The American Dream by Juan Ramirez Jr. As part of the 6th Annual Destinos Festival; What Earth Does While You're Asleep by Alaric Hinchcliffe ; Not A Christmas Carol . His upcoming projects include The Midwest Premiere of Qualia by Ashleigh Ann Gardner, La Patria (A special presentation) by Yon Yonni, and the World Premiere of his play Que Te Vaya Bien this fall. Omar is ecstatic to participate in this year's Inicios Festival as the Director of Sex, Alchemy and Mayan Mischief by William Gregory.