Fulton Theatre Opens the Topical and Pulitzer Prize-Winning DISGRACED

The nationally regarded Fulton Theatre continues its 2016/2017 Ellen Arnold Groff Studio Series with the gripping Disgraced in the Tell Studio Theatre. The Ayad Akhtar drama runs through March 12 with #FridayNightConversations after each Friday Night performance.

The 2013 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama revolves around a dinner party with the most unlikely guests and taboo topics of conversation. Amir Kapoor is a successful Pakistani-American lawyer who is rapidly moving up the corporate ladder while distancing himself from his cultural roots. Emily, his wife, is white; she's an artist, and her work is influenced by Islamic imagery. When the couple hosts a dinner party, what starts out as a friendly conversation escalates into something far more damaging.

#FridayNightConversations will be hosted by the Fulton on February 24 with a conversation led by Fulton Executive Artistic Producer and Director of the production, Marc Robin, with a beer tasting provided by Wacker Brewing Company; March 3 with a conversation led by theatre critic Kelli Curtin, with a wine tasting provided by POUR; and March 10 with a conversation led by Lancaster Newspapers theatre critic Jane Holahan, with a beer tasting provided by Wacker Brewing Company.

Disgraced first opened in Chicago at the American Theater Company (January - March, 2012) and then Off-Broadway at LCT3 at Lincoln Center Theater (September 2012 - December 2012) before premiering on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre (October, 2014 - March, 2015) where it ran for 149 performances. The play also won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and was described as "A moving play that depicts a successful corporate lawyer painfully forced to consider why he has for so long camouflaged his Pakistani Muslim heritage."

The Fulton Theatre production stars Erinn Holmes as Jory whose credits include Into the Woods at Crane River Theater, Faith in Sweet Love Adieu at Hudson Shakespeare Company, The Screwtape Letters at the Mint Theater and The Young and the Restless; Abhi Katyal as Amir who grew up in India and moved to the States to work in Corporate America before becoming an actor 4 years ago; Andrew Kindig as Isaac who is a Lancaster, Pennsylvania resident and credits include Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Fulton, with numerous regional credits; Zal Owens as Abe whose credits include Motel in the National Tour of Fiddler On The Roof and Off-Broadway/New York credits include New York Theatre Workshop, Theater for the New City, Triad Theater and York Theatre; and Liz Shivener as Emily who returns to the Fulton after starring as Molly in last seasons' world premiere of the Chamber version of Ghost: The Musical, other credits include the National Tours of Disney's Beauty and the Beast as Belle, and Shrek The Musical as Fiona, along with many regional credits.

The creative team for the production includes Marc Robin (Director and the Fulton Theatre's Executive Artistic Producer), WilLiam James Mohney (Scenic Designer), Brittany Leffler (Costume Designer), Bill Simmons (Lighting Designer), Matthew Moran (Sound Designer), Katelin Walsko (Props Designer), and Lizz Bender (Production Stage Manager).

With special thanks to our Ellen Arnold Groff Series Sponsors Fox Chapel Publishing, POUR Craft Food and Drinks, and Wacker Brewing Company.

New York Casting is done by Bob Cline Casting. Interviews are available with the cast and/or director based on availability. Production photos are available upon request. Performance Schedule follows at the end of the release.

The general admission single ticket price starts at $35, with Student Rush available. The Ellen Arnold Groff Series began in 2014 with a series of staged readings and was followed last season with a fully realized production of Venus in Fur. The remaining season in the Tell Studio Theatre includes Peter Quilter's 4000 Days (May 16 - June 4). The Fulton performs in the historic landmark theatre located at 12 North Prince Street in Lancaster, PA. For more information or to purchase tickets call 717.397.7425 or visit TheFulton.org.

About Fulton Theatre:
The Fulton first opened its doors in 1852. 164 years later, this national historic landmark theatre continues to entertain, educate and delight audiences, bringing live theatre, music, and more than 120,000 patrons into downtown Lancaster annually. Since its inception, some of the brightest stars of theatre, music and film have appeared on its stage, including Sarah Bernhardt, Mark Twain, Lionel Barrymore, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, W.C. Fields, George M. Cohan, Treat Williams and Lancaster's own Jonathan Groff.

Today, under the leadership of Executive Artistic Producer Marc Robin, the Fulton Theatre produces a mix of comedies, dramas and musicals, employing the talents of professional directors, designers and playwrights from across the country. The Fulton also offers classes for children, teens and adults as well as numerous community engagement programs across the region.