The World Premier of Juked
Different Strokes! Performing Arts Collective presents a bold, blues-infused retelling of Sophocles’s Electra.
On the heels of the world premiere of Dear God, Different Strokes invites you to step into the world of Juked, a powerful and provocative reimagining of Sophocles’s classical play Electra, written by Mildred Inez Lewis.
This world premiere is set in the sultry, tension-filled backdrop of Asheville, North Carolina, and the modern adaptation weaves together themes of family, betrayal, and justice with the soulful rhythms of blues and the raw energy of hip-hop.
At the heart of Juked is Lectra, a woman consumed by grief and rage after the murder of her father, Memnon, by her mother, Nestra, and her lover, Gus. As Lectra struggles to protect her younger brother, Orestes, and navigate the fractured relationships within her family, the play delves into the cyclical nature of violence, the weight of legacy, and the cost of vengeance. Guided by the enigmatic Mary Lou, a griot and blueswoman who bridges the past and present, the story unfolds with gripping intensity.
Juked celebrates cultural heritage while confronting the harsh realities of systemic oppression and generational pain. Audiences will be captivated by the play’s dynamic structure, which blends the timeless tragedy of the Greek original with the vibrant storytelling traditions of the African American South. The blues-infused soundtrack and lyrical dialogue create an immersive experience that will resonate deeply with modern audiences.
Juked came about through “A Different Myth,” a program that seeks to amplify stories that center Black voices and characters. Co-founders Stephanie Hickling Beckman and Aaron Snook selected Lewis, along with two other playwrights, as members of their 2022 cohort, and spent two years developing new works.
“Stephanie and I had the beautiful privilege of being on this developmental journey with Mildred as she penned Juked,” says Snook.
Catch the world premier of Juked on stage November 6-23, 2025. Juked is rated PG-16. We recommend ages 16 and up. For more information and tickets, please contact Different Strokes! Performing Arts Collective at (828) 484-2014, email [email protected], or visit www.differentstrokespac.org/juked.
