THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT Begins LA Premiere at CoA

An exceptional 23 person cast will open a limited engagement of Stephen Adly Guirgis' The Last Days of Judas Iscariot at CoA at the Alexandria (3rd floor).  The Last Days of Judas Iscariot by Stephen Adly Guirgis marks the inaugural collaboration of Urban Theatre Movement and Company of Angels. Urban Theatre Movement is a multicultural collective of artists dedicated to creating accessible art and life changing experiences through innovative theatre that serves and mirrors our rich and diverse community.  Direction is by Jeremy Aluma.

The Last Days of Judas Iscariot received its off-Broadway premiere in March of 2005.  Over 2,000 years ago, in the land of Judea, the apostle Judas Iscariot committed the greatest act of betrayal the world has ever known. Stephen Adly Guirgis uses this timeless tale as the template for his courtroom drama set in purgatory, but this verdict and vernacular comes straight from the gritty, urban streets. Which begs the question, are these underserved communities any different from what we all fear most...hell? This fascinating play is not merely a religious diatribe, as witnesses like Mother Teresa, Sigmund Freud, Pontius Pilate and Satan take the stand we realize its messages of free will, responsibility, faith, fate and forgiveness are all universal.  With the world evolving and the economy sinking, values and morals become even more important for every one of us to hold on to.  We each possess qualities that we believe in, but in the world of Judas Iscariot the characters hold these values so close, so sacred that everything else is dust. All we can do is watch, learn and try to understand that in terms of humanity,  Caiaphas, Pilate, Satan, Judas and Jesus are all equal.

The cast features *Jessica Culaciati, Aaron DuPree, Lowam Eyasu, Brighid Fleming, Tony Gatto, Stevens Gaston, Christopher Gavilanes, Amir Levi, Angie Light, Israel Lopez, Michelle Mania, *Shyla Marlin, Gilbert Martinez, Vincent Mentry, *Nick Mills, Sharif Nasr, Samantha Parks, Charlie Sanchez, Fayna Sanchez, *Levi Sochet, Adam Tsekhman, Paul Tully and Peter Weidman.

The play is being produced by Urban Theatre Movement in association with Company of Angels.

The Last Days of Judas Iscariot by Stephen Adly Guirgis directed by Jeremy Aluma begins a limited engagement on November 19, 2010 and runs through December 12, 2010. Performances will be held Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 7pm. Performances will be held at CoA at the Alexandria (3rd floor) 501 S. Spring Street Los Angeles, CA 90013.

Tickets are $20 for General Admission, $18 for Students and Seniors, $15 on Sundays and $25 for Opening Night including a reception.