www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 10-16, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 31 ONSTAGE In Greek mythology, we meet a series of heroes who need help and princesses who rescue them. A hero’s weapon is his ability to kill, the princess’ weapon is betrayal. Jason (Mike Storm) was not the first man who left his wife behind. But Medea (Jennifer Le Blanc) was not just any wife. This granddaughter of the sun god assisted the hero in his killings, not unlike her first maternal cousin, Ariadne, who helped Theseus murder the Minotaur and woke up abandoned on the island of Naxos. Both Medea and Ariadne decided to leave their homelands for a foreigner, and become foreigners themselves, with tragic results. In the PacRep production, directed by Kenneth Kelleher, Medea, who gave Jason two boys, refuses to watch her husband take a young bride while she is exiled. Medea is determined to respond to this heartbreak with heartbreak. In the space between the stage and the audience, one sees children’s toys and other signs of domesticity that comes—along with modernized language—from Ben Power’s adaptation of the play. The outside world, where the wedding reception for Jason and princess Creusa take place, is on the upper level, behind a room divider and the curtain. Divisions symbolize Medea’s exclusion from the public sphere. The negotiations between Medea, the mother and Medea, the proud sorcerer, are fascinating and terrifying, even to the ancient chorus of women that appear on TV screens in Jason and Medea’s living room. The chorus will be drawn into silence, which prevents it from interfering in what Medea is bracing herself to do. Le Blanc, an Oakland-based actress, is perfect as the barbarian princess, both in her body work and god-like awareness of her demonic choice. She manifests both strength and heartbreak. At the end of the play, Medea is confronted with her act, but Euripides has her escaping on the chariot sent by Helios, driven by dragons or winged serpents. Until Theseus returned after killing Minotaur, Medea is given haven in Athens, then, according to Herodotus, she founded the tribe of Meds in today’s Iran. After she dies, she marries again, to Achilles, the greatest warrior in the Greek army during the Trojan War—everything but a stranger when it comes to anger issues. Medea is performed 7:30pm Thursdays-Saturdays; 2pm Sundays through Sept. 20. Golden Bough Playhouse, Circle Theatre, Casanova between 8th and 9th, Carmel. $11-$46. (831) 622-0100, pacrep.org. STEPHEN MOORER The Shining Medea thrills at PacRep’s Circle Theatre with a chilling tale and solid performances. By Agata Popęda Kenneth Kelleher adds Medea to his directorial opus at PacRep, with Jennifer Le Blanc as sorceress title character. The play runs through Sept. 20. Domenico’s on the Wharf features Cioppino-a house specialty, Boat to Table Wild Alaskan Salmon, Oysters Rockefeller are a sample of the many great menu choices. Also enjoy Fine Wines and Cocktails, Desserts and Great Service. A local favorite celebrating 45 YEARS on Old Fisherman’s Wharf. 50 OLD FISHERMAN’S WHARF MONTEREY • 831-372-3655 www.domenicosmonterey.com Open Daily 11:30am to close Fresh Seafood, Italian Classics, Prime Steaks , with Beautiful Harbor Views. ’25 Voted Monterey County’s BEST Restaurant on Fisherman’s Wharf
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