Asolo Rep to Present First Public Reading of Nilo Cruz's BATHING IN MOONLIGHT

Asolo Rep will present the first public reading of Pulitzer and Greenfield Prize-winner Nilo Cruz's new play Bathing in Moonlight as the third and final reading of its sixth annual Unplugged New Play Festival. The reading will be presented on Sunday, April 19 at 7pm in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts Cook Theatre. Tickets to the reading are $7 and are available at Asolo Rep's Box Office, located in the lobby of the theatre, or by calling the box office at 941.351.8000 or 800.361.8388, or online at www.asolorep.org.

Bathing in Moonlight was created as a commission through the awarding of the 2014 Greenfield Prize in drama. This opportunity, made possible by The Greenfield Prize at the Hermitage Artist Retreat, represents a groundbreaking partnership between the Philadelphia-based Greenfield Foundation and the Hermitage Artist Retreat in Englewood, FL. Pursuing the Prize mission "to bring into the world works of art that will have a significant impact on the broader or artistic culture," the Prize seeks to identify individuals whose past work and future prospects position them to achieve this lofty and ambitious goal.

Nilo Cruz explores once again the nature of compassion and devotion in this new play, as he follows the changing fortunes of an exiled family. Set in Buena Vista, a residential neighborhood in Miami, known for its historic houses, the play charts the lives of the Garcia Galbán family who are about to lose their home in their adopted country. Father Monroe, their local priest, is a man who has dedicated his life to God; Marcela, a member of the family, has lost everything in life except God. Both their lives are irrevocably changed when Father Monroe decides to rescue Marcela and her family by buying their house, with money he has inherited from a parishioner. Will Father Monroe risk losing his place in the house of God when he lets the family stay living in their home and falls in love with Marcela? In this play, Cruz offers a meditation on what makes us human, or how we find God through human love. The result is a moving play filled with joy and beauty, sacrifice and reconciliation.

Curated by Asolo Rep's Dramaturg and Literary Manager Lauryn E. Sasso, Unplugged provides a unique platform for playwrights to hear their compelling, still-in-progress plays performed by Asolo Rep's company of actors for audiences for the very first time. Audiences have the rare chance to immerse themselves in the creative process as playwrights often welcome audience reaction and feedback to their work.

"We're thrilled and honored to be presenting this reading of Bathing in Moonlight, the extraordinary new play by Nilo Cruz," said Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards. "He has become a part of the Asolo Rep family, and this new work is a great example of the very fruitful partnership we have developed with the Hermitage."

"The Hermitage is very pleased to partner with Asolo Rep for the first public reading of Nilo's Greenfield Prize commissioned play," said Bruce E. Rodgers, executive director of the Hermitage Artist Retreat, which administers the Prize. "This is our third collaboration with the theater and Michael Edwards has been a tremendous support. His input as a non-voting member of the three drama juries has been invaluable; the prestige of Asolo Repertory Theatre as a venue for our new plays is stellar; and the actors who participate will always give the playwright the best insight into the play. Helping playwrights develop and launch new work is the goal and having the professionalism of Asolo Rep to do that with is a gift. We look forward to this continued relationship and many more opportunities to work together."