"Sarah's War" LA Weekly "Pick of the Week"!

 

 

From: Jordan Elgrably [mailto:jordane@levantinecenter.org]
Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 12:35 PM

Having trouble viewing this email? http://www.levantinecenter.org/event/sarahs-war-ga

SARAH'S WAR, L.A. Weekly Pick of the Week!    PICK OF THE WEEK: SARAH'S WAR In 2003, American peace activist Rachel Corrie was mowed down by an Israeli bulldozer as she attempted to stop it from demolishing a Palestinian home. Her death stirred international controversy; some critics accused the Israelis of murder while other observers maintained that Corrie's demise was an accident and that she and her compatriots were the instigating dupes of Arab terrorists. The event prompted the 2005 drama My Name Is Rachel Corrie, based on Corrie's diaries and edited by Alan Rickman. Abica Dubay as "Sarah" [photo John Flynn/Rogue Machine] Sarah's War, by Valerie Dillman, is somewhat different: Less biographical, it's an attempt to explore how the life and death of such a self-sacrificing individual might affect others. And while it dwells too insistently on the squabbling among Corrie's grieving family members, Dillman's work ultimately succeeds in illuminating the event's human, political and moral particulars. Director Matt McKenzie's discerning eye and ear are evident in both the production's well-calibrated pacing and its solid performances. Abica Dubay's Sarah is a cogent portrait of a vulnerable young woman who pursues her ideals despite her fear and her growing doubts. Offsetting that vulnerability are Marley McClean as her tight-lipped, doctrinaire colleague; Dina Simon, a Palestinian woman furious at Sarah's meddlesome naiveté; and Will Rothhaar as the Israeli driver in whose memory she is indelibly embedded. And Adria Tennor Blotta's portrayal of Sarah's conventional sister Liz unexpectedly morphs into one of the evening's performance highlights. Hudson Backstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hlywd; Thurs.-Sat, 8 p.m.; Sun, 3 p.m.; thru March 18. (Deborah Klugman) RSVPs to 310.657.5511   Sarah's War runs Thurs/Fri/Sat at 8 PM, Sundays at 3 PM @ THE HUDSON THEATRE, HOLLYWOOD   ADMISSION: Regular performances - $30 preferred, $25 general. Special discount $5 off all seats with CODE LCC: this offer good when calling our box office, 310.657.5511.   RESERVATIONS:  or online levantinecenter.org or http://www.Plays411.com/sarahswar             Attend Dates Feb. 16-Mar 18, Click Here Read the playwright's op-ed in LA Stage Times     * * * * * * * * * *  Sarah is an idealistic 23-year-old who decides to join members of the International Solidarity Movement in Palestinian Territories under Israeli military occupation, much to the consternation of her Jewish uncle, to whom she initially appeals for support. He doesn't want her to potentially put herself in harm's way. It's pointed out to her that there are plenty of worthwhile things that need to be done right in her own backyard.               It's rough going for her once she arrives in the Middle East. There are Arabs who  suspect her of being a spy, while some Israelis regard her as a terrorist sympathizer. Yet Sarah sees herself as a peace activist and is determined to remain.               She's in a village, however, where soldiers, guns, tanks and bulldozers are nearby.  When armies and civilians conflict, destiny is sometimes cruel...                             * * * * * * * * * *     The cast of Sarah's War includes, in alphabetical order, Adria Tennor Blotta, Ann Bronston, Terry Davis, Abica Dubay, Avner Garbi, Lindsey Ginter, Will Green, Marley McClean, Will Rothhaar, Ayman Samman, Dina Simon and Allan Wasserman.               Playwright: Valerie Dillman. Director: Matt McKenzie. Producer: Jordan Elgrably. Executive Producer: Amani Jabsheh. Coproducer: Sheana Ochoa. Production stage manager: Crystal Magallanes. Projections: Keith Stevenson. Lighting design: William Wilday. Sound design: Alex Enberg. Costume design: Cara Giannini.                            Sarah's War is the inaugural production of Freedom Theatre West--the first theatre company in Southern California to focus on the Middle East and North Africa. The company is named in honor of the original Freedom Theatre in Jenin, Palestine that was founded by the late actor-director, Juliano Mer-Khamis, and is a project of the Levantine Cultural Center, which celebrates the diverse cultures of the Middle East and North Africa by presenting arts and educational programs that bridge political and religious divides. Support the play and Freedom Theatre West.        An independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, the Levantine Cultural Center is non-partisan and is supported by its individual members, small grants, private donors, and income from public programs. Get involved.

Forward email This email was sent to epearlag@earthlink.net by jordane@levantinecenter.org |   Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Levantine Cultural Center | 5998 W. Pico Blvd. | Los Angeles | CA | 90035

No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2012.0.1913 / Virus Database: 2112/4811 - Release Date: 02/15/12