Cast Announces For PALESTINE, NEW MEXICO At Mark Taper Forum, Opens 12/13

The casting is complete for the world premiere of "Palestine, New Mexico" written by Richard Montoya for Culture Clash. "Palestine, New Mexico" is Center Theatre Group's fifth collaboration with Culture Clash and the third world premiere of a Culture Clash project at the Mark Taper Forum. Previews begin December 3, 2009, and opening is December 13. Performances continue through January 24, 2010.

Directed by Lisa Peterson, the cast of "Palestine, New Mexico" includes LaVonne Rae Andrews, Michelle Diaz, Julia Jones, Geraldine Keams, Russell Means, Richard Montoya, Brandon Oakes, Robert Owens-Greygrass, Kirsten Potter, Kalani Queypo, Justin Rain, Ric Salinas and Herbert Siguenza. Scenic design is by Rachel Hauck, costume design by Christopher Acebo, lighting design and projections by Alexander Nichols with music and sound design is by Paul James Prendergast. The casting director is Erika Sellin and the production stage manager is Susie Walsh.

Set on an American Indian reservation in the Southwest, "Palestine, New Mexico" follows the fate of Army Captain Siler who has returned from Afghanistan with a secret she just can't keep. Determined to set the record straight about the death of the tribal chief's son, she discovers she is considered a dangerous outsider rather than a messenger of truth. In the battle to tell her story she unleashes far more history than anyone wanted to hear, or tell. "Palestine, New Mexico" weaves comedy and pathos into a poetic tale of loss and discovery that spans centuries and explores the meaning of right, wrong, fact, fiction, religion, family, tribes and homeland.

Since 1984, Culture Clash - Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas and Herbert Siguenza - has continually redefined the boundaries of theatre and broken down the divisions between cultures. Culture Clash has performed all over the country at major resident theatres and performing arts centers, and, for television, wrote, executive-produced and starred in 30 episodes of the first ever Latino-themed sketch comedy show, "Culture Clash the T.V. Show" for Fox Broadcasting.

Tickets for "Palestine, New Mexico" start at $20 and are available by calling (213) 628-2772 or online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org or in person at the CTG box office located at the Ahmanson Theatre at the Music Center.

Center Theatre Group, a non-profit organization, is one of the largest and most active theatre companies in the nation, programming subscription seasons year-round at the 739-seat Mark Taper Forum and the 1,600 to 2,000-seat Ahmanson Theatre at the Music Center of Los Angeles, and the 317-seat Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City.

Photo credit: Craig Schwartz