In Greek mythology, Tiresias is known as the blind prophet of Thebes, gifted with the power to see truths hidden from ordinary eyes. His wisdom and visions shaped many legendary tales, including the Oedipus saga, where his warnings echo through time. In A Theban Tale, Tiresias takes center stage beyond the ancient prophecies. Not only…
In A Theban Tale, my reimagined adaptation of Sophocles’ Oedipus, I’ve worked to remain true to the origins of Greek myth, history, and culture. The other night, I shared a portion of my story with an old childhood friend from North Carolina, who is also of Greek heritage. I wanted his thoughts on the direction I was taking. He laughed and told me, “It wouldn’t sell… it needs some Black people!” He went on to explain…
Everyone knows the story of Oedipus, the king doomed to fulfill a tragic prophecy. But what if the true origins of Thebes’ curse stretch far deeper—rooted in secrets and missteps generations before his birth? Today, let’s journey back before Oedipus, to the days of Cadmus, the city’s founder, who slew a dragon and sowed its…
In Sophocles’ original Oedipus tale, King Laius is a shadowy figure, mentioned only in passing as a catalyst for tragedy. But in A Theban Tale, Laius takes center stage as a complex and pivotal character, whose dark choices and hidden burdens shape the fate of Thebes itself. King Laius, the great-grandson of Cadmus, the legendary…
Prepare to enter the shadowy edges of myth—where legends are not just told, but brought to life. The images above are brilliant depictions by other artists, visualizing one of ancient myth’s most mysterious and unsettling creatures: the Blemmyes. One of a few new characters incorporated in the newly reimagined Oedipus Rex novella, “ATheban Tale,” that…
Did you know that Sophocles, one of ancient Greece’s most celebrated playwrights, wrote over 120 plays during his lifetime? Born in 496 B.C. and living until 406 B.C., Sophocles was not only a prolific writer but also an influential statesman who skillfully balanced public service with his passion for theater. Among all his works, one…