SATC Premieres THE FUNDAMENTALIST, 8/12-28

Scandinavian American Theater Company (SATC) is proud to present U.S. premiere and English-language debut of the award-winning play THE FUNDAMENTALIST, by Finnish playwright Juha Jokela, as part of the 15th annual New York International Fringe Festival - FringeNYC. The Fundamentalist opened to rave reviews in Finland in 2006 and subsequently went on to win the prestigious Nordic Drama Award for Best Play in 2008. THE FUNDAMENTALIST also marks the first time a Scandinavian play is part of the FringeNYC. THE FUNDAMENTALIST is scheduled for the following six performances: Saturday 8/13 @ 8:30 PM, Monday 8/15 @ 4 PM, Saturday 8/20 @2:15 PM, Monday 8/22 @ 8:30 PM, Wednesday 8/24 @ 3 PM, and Thursday 8/25 @ 6 PM. Press is invited to all performances, for reservations, please e-mail contact@satcnyc.org or call Albert Bendix at641-508-2263.

Markus, a reformed pastor and Heidi, his former student now turned religious extremist, meet again after years apart. Heidi has come to save Markus from going to hell. A spiritual battle develops as they each pursue to try to change the other. But beneath it all lurks a dark past they can't escape: a romantic and sexual encounter, which has deeply affected them both. "The Fundamentalist" is a suspenseful two-character drama that offers an astute and nuanced investigation of the appeal of fundamentalist belief and encourages us to reflect on human values, worldview, faith and responsibility to each other.

THE FUNDAMENTALIST features American actor Adam Smith Jr. as MARKUS and Danish actress Anette Norgaard as HEIDI. Sebastian Nyman Agdur (Sweden) directs. The show is supported by the Consulate General of Finland in New York.

Juha Jokela is one of Finland and Scandinavia's most renowned modern writers. The Nordic Drama Award jury wrote: "His witty and surprising humor, compelling narratives and nuanced characterizations are tightly bound to the present moment. Whether focusing his sharp vision on the world of business or the spirit, he writes with deep understanding of the personalities involved." Jokela began his career writing for television before he expanded into theater. His first play "Mobile Horror" (2003) garnered unprecedented critical acclaim and is one of the most successful plays in recent Finnish theatrical history. THE FUNDAMENTALIST was received with equal praise and the complete first season of Jokela's latest play, "Performance Economy" (2010), sold out already in advance sales. Juha Jokela will be in New York August 10-14 and available for press appearances and interviews during that time.

Scandinavian American Theater Company is the 2011 recipient of the American Scandinavian Society's Honorary Cultural Grant. The company was founded in 2009 to promote the new generation of Scandinavian playwrights and produce innovative interpretations of the classics. Their productions so far include Craig Lucas' modern adaptation of "Miss Julie" and the U.S. premiere of Dane Andreas Garfield's award-winning drama "Home Sweet Home," about a Danish soldier returning from Iraq, which opened to critical acclaim at the 9th Space at PS122 in November of 2010. The Village Voice wrote: "Home Sweet Home presents a powerful, convincing narrative of a society trying to promote peace during a war, while misunderstanding the war that remains at home for those who return" and Town & Village agreed: "Home Sweet Home is a thoughtful examination of the difficulties of the returning veteran... one hopes that it is a good example of what the Scandinavian American Theater Company will bring in the future." SATC also produces the SATC Contemporary Scandinavian Reading Series at Scandinavia House, in which they present five staged readings annually of new Scandinavian plays. For more information, visit www.satcnyc.org

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