Pulitzer Prize Winning DISGRACED Opens Next Month At Florida Rep

Florida Repertory Theatre's 20th anniversary season continues with Ayad Akhtar's critically acclaimed work, "Disgraced." Winner of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, "Disgraced" is one of the most-produced plays in America right now, and deals with issues ripped from the headlines.

The production runs in the ArtStage Studio Theatre Nov. 10 to Dec. 10 with four nearly sold-out previews Nov. 7-9. Priced at $55 for regular performances and $35 for previews, tickets are available at www.FloridaRep.org and by calling the box office at 239-332-4488, and seating is limited in the intimate 110-seat venue.

Florida Rep ensemble member, Rachel Burttram, returns to the stage for a second time this season after a critically acclaimed appearance in the season-opener, "Outside Mullingar." Newly named ensemble member, V Craig Heidenreich, directs the production after directing last season's critically acclaimed "Best of Enemies" and a recent appearance as Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird" earlier this year.

"'Disgraced' is one of the most acclaimed plays of the last five years," says Producing Artistic Director, Robert Cacioppo, "and it deals with some very hard issues that need to be discussed across the country and in our community. It is our mission to produce a wide variety of plays, and so we're proud to be opening this hard-hitting and intense drama while the comedy 'Sylvia' is playing down the hall. These two plays running simultaneously really epitomize Florida Rep's signature variety."

"Disgraced" is an engaging and provocative story of religion, race, and betrayal. Contemporary attitudes are put under the microscope in this fearless play about a successful Muslim-American lawyer who has worked hard to achieve the American Dream. Amir, a mergers and acquisitions lawyer, is on track to attain his lifelong ambition to partner in his Jewish law firm. However, in order to climb the corporate ladder, he's had to hide his cultural identity. When an innocent dinner party turns dangerous, he finds that professional success comes at a great personal cost.

The cast of "Disgraced" features ensemble member, Rachel Burttram, alongside returning guest artists, Mary E. Hodges and Gregg Weiner, as well as New York actors, Imran Sheikh and Amir Darvish, both making their Florida Rep debuts.

Darvish was recently seen on television in "The Blacklist" and "Person of Interest," and on stage in New York in "Seen/By Everyone." New York actress, Mary E. Hodges, and Miami-based, Gregg Weiner, both return to Florida Rep for a second time; Hodges was last seen in Florida Rep's "Best of Enemies" by Mark St. Germain, and Weiner in the world premiere of Stephen Spotswood's "Doublewide" last April. Imran Sheikh comes from a production of "Disgraced" at Milwaukee Rep earlier this year, as well as Park Square Theatre's "Love Person" and ACT/Artists Rep's "The Invisible Hand."

Ensemble member and director, V Craig Heidenreich ("Best of Enemies"), leads an creative team including set designer Dennis Maulden ("The Mousetrap"), ensemble costume designer Stefanie Genda ("Best of Enemies"), lighting designer Rob Siler ("Outside Mullingar"), sound designer John Kiselica ("Sylvia"), and ensemble production stage manager Audrey M. Brown ("A Christmas Story").

New for the 2017-2018 Season, weeknight performances in both venues (Tues.-Thurs.) begin at 7:00 PM. Weekend evening performances remain at 8PM and matinees on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday are still set for the popular 2PM curtain time.

"Disgraced" is generously sponsored by Bruce and Janet Bunch.

IF YOU GO

"Disgraced" plays in the ArtStage Studio Theatre from Nov. 10 to Dec. 10 with discounted previews Nov. 7-10. Performances are Tuesday-Saturday at 7pm with 2PM matinees on Thursday, Sunday, and selected Saturdays.

Priced at $55 and $35 for previews, single tickets are now on sale through the box office at 239-332-4488 and online at www.floridarep.org. Subscriptions for the 2017-2018 season offer the best seats and the biggest savings, and packages start as low as $150 for 6 plays.

Florida Repertory Theatre performs in the Historic Arcade Theatre and the ArtStage Studio Theatre on Bay St. between Jackson & Hendry with limited free parking in the Fort Myers River District. Visit Florida Rep online at FloridaRep.org, and by following the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

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