'A Passage to India' with Vitalist Theatre, Opens April 8

Vitalist Theatre, in association with Premiere Theatre and Performance, will present E.M. Forster's A Passage to India, adapted by Martin Sherman and staged by recent After Dark Award-winning director, Elizabeth Carlin-Metz. Press Opening is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8 at 7:30PM at Theatre Building Chicago.  A Passage to India will run through May 18, 2008.

"E.M. Forster's most critically acclaimed and award-winning story comes to the stage in a vivid and nuanced adaptation by Martin Sherman, author of the gripping play and film, Bent. A Passage to India is a searing and dimensional portrait of the political and personal devastation caused when an arrogant and "civilized" culture presumes to know what is best for other nations and traditional cultures. Painted in bold, vibrant strokes, this 20th century masterpiece of imperialism, political and sexual repression, and sensuous awakening amidst a violent collision of powerful forces serves to remind us that social and political might, wielded out of prejudice, willful ignorance, and arrogant self interest, can be deadly," explain press notes.

Set in India during the Raj, a well meaning but naive young English woman sets destructive forces in motion when she breaks colonial taboos by associating with a Muslim doctor. The independent minded Adela Quested yearns to shed Chandrapore's colonial pretensions and discover the "real India." Against the advice of her fiancé, the local magistrate, she agrees to tour the ancient and mysterious Marabar Caves with the beguiling Dr. Aziz – unaware of the volcanic passions and explosive fears that this outing will unearth.

Originally developed in collaboration with the internationally renowned London based physical theatre company Shared Experience, Vitalist Theatre's production of A Passage to India will mark the first time that the adaptation has been presented outside of that company.

The production will feature Kamal Hans as Dr. Aziz and Lori  Myers as Adela Quested. Other cast members include Madrid St. Angelo, Tariq Vasudeva, Amira Sabbagh, Mary O'Dowd, Ian Novak, Jeremy Clark, and Christopher Hibbard.