Raisins Not Virgins Plays Added Performances on Oct. 20, 21 and 22

Sharbari Ahmed's play Raisins Not Virgins has extended its run; it will now play extra performances on October 20th, 21st and 22nd at 8 PM. The show, which opened on September 23rd, was originally to have closed on October 15th.

Presented by the WorkShop Theater Company and directed by Thomas Cote, the show, which is billed as a "romantic comedy about jihad," plays the WorkShop Theater (312 W. 36th St., on the 4th flor, between 8th and 9th Avenues).

"Raisins Not Virgins is a tale of spiritual and political turmoil set against a backdrop of New York dating angst. It traces the hilarious journey and jihad of a young American-Muslim woman as she traverses the minefields of identity and love. Sahar Salam is a 29 year old, apolitical, well-heeled, and lonely New York advertising professional who loses her boyfriend to causes and ideologies greater than she is willing to admit. This loss forces her to confront a lifelong resentment against the religion of her birth, Islam. It also marks the beginning of her personal jihad, which, for Sahar, involves a great deal of drinking and a dubious flirtation with the world of art," according to press notes.

"The title Raisins Not Virgins refers to a controversial Koranic verse that supposedly states a Muslim martyr will receive the reward of virgins in heaven. Recent interpretations have found that the arabic word more accurately translates into raisin, specifically raisins of 'startling white clarity.' The latter translation may have more credence given the high premium placed on a good raisin at the time."

Entering its 12th season, the WorkShop Theater Company specializes in the development of new plays. The company also nurtures the talents of actors, playwrights and directors with the presentation of readings and workshops as well as fully staged plays, musicals and multi-media productions. The company's two-theater complex on 36th Street includes the 65-seat Main Stage Theater and the 35-seat Jewel Box Theater. The film Finding Neverland began as the stage play The Man Who Was Peter Pan by Allen Knee, which was presented by the company in 1998. The WorkShop has also presented premiere productions of the plays Angel Wings by Murray Schisgal (who is best known for Luv and the screenplay of Tootsie) and 1348 by Tom Dulack (author of the Off-Broadway hit Breaking Legs).

Tickets for remaining performances are $15.00, $10.00 with current student ID (TDF accepted). For reservations please call 212-695-4173 or visit TheaterMania.com to purchase tickets online. Visit www.workshoptheater.org for more information.

 

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