Signature Theatre Extends OUR LADY OF KIBEHO

Signature Theatre has announced a one-week extension for the World Premiere of OUR LADY OF KIBEHO by Katori Hall, directed by Michael Greif. The production will now play through Sunday, December 14, 2014. The production opened to critical acclaim on Sunday, November 16 in The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues).

The cast includes Starla Benford as Sister Evangelique, Jade Eshete as Student/Villager, Danaya Esperanza as Student/Villager, Niles Fitch as Emmanuel, Kambi Gathesha as Villager , Brent Jennings as Bishop Gahamanyi, Joaquina Kalukango as Marie-Clare Mukangango, Mandi Masden as Anathalie Mukamazimpaka, Irungu Mutu as Villager , Owiso Odera as Father Tuyishime, Nneka Okafor as Alphonsine Mumureke, Stacey Sargeant as Student/Villager/Reporter, T. Ryder Smith as Father Flavia, Angel Uwamahoro as Student/Villager, Bowman Wright as Nkango.

In 1981, a village girl in Rwanda claims to see the Virgin Mary. Ostracized by her schoolmates and labeled disturbed, everyone refuses to believe, until the impossible starts happening again and again. Skepticism gives way to fear, faith, and fate, causing upheaval in the school community and beyond. Based on real events, Our Lady of Kibeho is the second production of Olivier Award-winning playwright Katori Hall's Residency at Signature.

The design team includes Rachel Hauck (Scenic Design), Emily Rebholz (Costume Design), Ben Stanton (Lighting Design), Matt Tierney (Sound Design), Peter Nigrini (Projection Design), Michael McElroy (Original Music, Arrangements and Music Direction), Greg Meeh (Special Effects Design), Paul Rubin (Aerial Effects Design), Rick Sordelet (Fight Direction), Dawn-Elin Fraser (Dialect Coach) and Faye Armon-Troncoso (Props & Set Dressing). Michael McGoff is the Production Stage Manager. Casting by Telsey + Company, Karyn Casl, CSA.

Supplemental programming has been set for OUR LADY OF KIBEHO. There will be post-show talkbacks on November 25 and December 2. Backstage Pass: Focus On Music will feature Michael McElroy (Original Music, Arrangements and Music Direction for Our Lady of Kibeho) and Neil Martin (Composer and Cellist for A Particle of Dread (Oedipus Variations) discussing composing and arranging music for new plays on December 3 at 6pm, and in Backstage Pass: Focus On Dialects, Dialect Coaches Dawn-Elin Fraser (Our Lady of Kibeho) and Kate Wilson (A Particle of Dread (Oedipus Variations)) will discuss their roles in the rehearsal process on December 10 at 6pm.

To purchase tickets for all Signature productions, call Ticket Services at 212-244-7529 (Tues. - Sun., 11am - 6pm) or visit signaturetheatre.org.

Photo by Joan Marcus