Playwrights Theatre Presents TWO JEWS WALK INTO A WAR..., Previews 1/21/2010

Playwrights Theatre is pleased to present the East Coast Premiere of Two Jews Walk Into A War... by Seth Rozin. In a co-production with New Jersey Repertory Company in Long Branch, NJ,
Two Jews Walk Into A War... will preview on January 21 and run for three weeks through February 7, 2010 (Press Opening: Friday, January 22 at 8:00pm). The production will be directed by James Glossman and features Reathel Bean and John Pietrowski. Single tickets are on sale now for $15. A student (appropriate for ages 15 and up) and senior matinee is scheduled for Wednesday, January 27 and February 3 at 10:30am and Ladies Night at the Playwrights Theatre will be held on Thursday, January 28 beginning at 5pm with curtain at 6:30pm. For tickets, visit www.ptnj.org or call the box office at 973-514-1787X10.

Performances take place at Playwrights Theatre, 33 Green Village Road in Madison, NJ.

A surprising comedy based on actual events. After burying their mutual friend Yakob, Zeblyan and Ishaq are now the Last Two Jews in Kabul-and they don't like each other very much. While they argue about prayer schedules and who is going to reside in their bombed-out temple, both agree they must regenerate the Jewish population in Afghanistan. They're stuck. In order to do this, they need a rabbi, but in order to get a rabbi, they need a Torah, which the Taliban has stolen. Their
bold and grand solution brings them closer to the essence of their faith and, quite possibly, each other. "The comedy of the play rests on serious underpinnings. These two men, in their own way for their own reasons, want their culture and beliefs to survive," said John Pietrowski, Artistic Director. "Though they are truly the last two Jews in Kabul, their long personal history and differing social status have created an unbridgeable rift between them. How they find a way to work with each other is both funny and moving."

Drew Francis will design the set and Patricia Doherty is the Costume Designer. Lighting Design is by Jill Nagle and Sound Design by Jeff Knapp. Danielle Constance is the Production Stage Manager.
Book Clubs at Playwrights Theatre Playwrights Theatre will continue its successful book club project. Instead of reading a book, book club members read the play (script provided by Playwrights Theatre). They then see the production and stay after the performance for a post-show discussion with the Artistic Director.

Ladies Night at Playwrights Theatre will be on Thursday, January 28.

Beginning at 5:00pm in the lobby of Playwrights Theatre, ladies will be able to mingle among the tables of women owned/women run businesses for various products and services. Participating businesses can be found www.ptnj.org/SpecialEvents/LadiesNight.htm

About the Playwright:
Seth Rozin is the author of several plays, including Men of Stone (produced by Theater Catalyst in 2001, nominated for a Barrymore Award for Outstanding New Play, published by Playscripts, Inc.), Missing Link (produced by InterAct Theatre Company in 2002, nominated for a Barrymore Award for Outstanding New Play), Reinventing Eden (showcased by the National New Play Network in 2005, produced by InterAct in 2006), The Space Between Us (readings at Abingdon Theatre in New York and InterAct), Black Gold (showcased by the National New Play Network in 2006, productions at InterAct, Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis, Prop Thtr in Chicago, Arts West in Seattle in 2008), and Two Jews Walked Into A War... (produced at Florida Stage in October 2009, New Jersey Repertory Theatre in December 2009 and Playwrights Theatre and Florida Studio Theatre in 2010).

He has also written the book, lyrics and music for a new musical entitled A Passing Wind: The (Mostly) True Story of Joseph Pujol, about the rise and fall of the world's greatest "fartiste." Seth is the recipient of two playwriting fellowships from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the 2007 Smith Prize from the National New Play Network, as well as a 2002 new play commission from the Foundation for Jewish Culture. He is the founder and Producing Artistic Director of InterAct Theatre Company in Philadelphia, where he has directed over 45 productions, including the world premieres of Thomas Gibbons' Permanent Collection, Bee-Luther-Hatchee, Black Russian, A House With No Walls and 6221. He served as President of the National New Play Network from 2002-2006, and currently Chairs the Philadelphia New Play Initiative.

Registrations are being accepted for the Creative Arts Academy spring classes for children, teens and adults and summer camp. The New Jersey Writers Project is accepting applications for 2010-2011 residencies as well as for residencies in the Poetry Out Loud Program, the national recitation contest created by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation that encourages young people to explore poetry through memorization and performance. Submissions are also being accepted for the 27th Annual New Jersey Young Playwrights Contest and Festival. For more information on any of the programs, please visit www.ptnj.org or call (973) 514-1787X21.