HEARTLAND Opens Saturday

Heartland, a new play set in Afghanistan and Nebraska, opens this Saturday night at Luna Stage. Luna's artistic director, Ari Laura Kreith directs Kareem Badr, Brian Corrigan, and Lipica Shah.

Heartland weaves back and forth through time, unraveling a mystery that illuminates the cost of defending an American Empire. "It invites us to ask questions about our own responsibility, both to people we love and to people we have never met," says director Kreith.

Actor Lipica Shah adds, "This play is both personal and universal. It's about people who love one another deeply, but are often not on the same page. It's about finding connection in unexpected places."

Kreith describes Luna as "a space for challenging conversations and magical, transformational theatrical experiences. Heartland accomplishes both," she says. "Gabriel Jason Dean's beautiful play celebrates the human capacity for forgiveness, change, and love."

Heartland runs through April 28, at Luna Stage in the Valley Arts District. Tickets are $16-39, and are available at LunaStage.org/Heartland or by calling 973-395-5551. A limited number of premium Opening Night tickets are available for $59, which includes the post-show party with cast and creative team. Special events including pre-show LunaLit book-related events and talk-backs with guest experts and members of the creative team are scheduled throughout the run. The full schedule is at LunaStage.org/Heartland.