Lynn Nottage's Pulitzer Prize Winning Drama 'Ruined' At Florida Studio Theatre

Additional Performances and Special
Events added for Ruined  

Lynn Nottage's Pulitzer Prize Winning Drama, continues its successful run at Florida Studio Theatre. Due to the popular demand of the show and the audience craving more; FST has added additional performances and special events to the show. 

Additional performances include Thursday, March 18 at 8:00 PM, Sunday, March 21 at 3:00 PM, Wednesday, March 24 at 8:00 PM and Sunday, March 28 at 8:00 PM. These performances are in addition to the previous added performances of Saturday, February 27^th at 2:00 PM and Tuesday, March 2^nd at 8:00 PM.

(Photo By Amy Steinmetz)

FST will host a special discussion on Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 5:00 PM in the Keating Theatre; themes of the play will be discussed, including the effects of the civil unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the effects of war on women.  

Panelists include members of the Ruined Cast, FST Artistic Director and Director of Ruined, Richard Hopkins. Joining them in the in-depth conversation is Tony Dalsimer, a retired Foreign Service Officer, who specialized in Africa and has served three assignments in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  One of these was as Consul in Kivu Province, the setting of Ruined. He taught ten years as an adjunct instructor in African affairs at USF/Sarasota and, in 2009, taught a course about the wars in Congo and five other African countries at the Lifelong Learning Academy at USF. And Dr. Aina Segal, a Sarasota psychotherapist, who will discuss the impact of war on women and the person. 

In addition, Florida Studio Theatre will also host post-show discussions on Thursday evenings, including March 11, March 18, March 25 and April 1, 2010. 

Artistic Director and Ruined Director Richard Hopkins stated, "This show, which is one of the most life-affirming, uplifting plays, has had a profound impact on our audiences. Discussions are continuing after they leave the theatre. We want to provide them with an opportunity to interact and ask the questions that remain after seeing the production and further enhance their theatre-going experience."   

A glimpse into the Democratic Republic of Congo during a decade of civil unrest. Mama Nadi, owner of a canteen, serves up everything from a cold beer and a warm meal to the company of a woman. The women of the canteen overcome adversity of war through hope, love and survival. 

Ruined premiered at Chicago's Goodman Theatre in November 2008. It went on to open at the Manhattan Theatre Club in January 2009, co-produced with the Goodman. Receiving rave reviews, Ruined also won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in April 2009. Nottage is a graduate oF Brown University and the Yale School of Drama. Her most well known work includes the highly acclaimed Intimate Apparel and its companion piece and Obie award-winning play Fabulation, or the Re-Education of Undine.   

Florida Studio Theatre's Artistic Director, Richard Hopkins directed the production. Hopkins has served as Artistic Director since 1980; his numerous directing credits include Metamorphoses, The Bully Pulpit, god's Man in Texas, Hysteria, Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wild, Over the Rainbow, Permanent Collection, Opus, Boleros for the Disenchanted, Laughing Matters 2009 and this past season's The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. 

The gripping Ruined continues through April 3, 2010 at the Keating Theatre. Tickets are $19 - $32 and may be purchased from the FST Box Office in person, by phone (941) 366 - 9000 or online at www.floridastudiotheatre.org .

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