Southern Rep Announces FREEDOM; Runs 7/11-28 at Contemporary Arts Center

Southern Rep Theatre concludes its 26th Season Lagniappe Series with the World Premiere of a J&S Production, LLC of FREEDOM by Sean Patterson, Joyce Pulitzer, David Seelig, & Kitty Greenberg. Directed by Mark Routhier. Starring Lorraine LeBlanc and John Neisler. FREEDOM runs July 11-28 and is performed at the Contemporary Arts Center.

"Southern Rep has had a long-standing artistic relationship with Joyce and Sean. Presenting FREEDOM as part of our Lagniappe Series makes perfect sense. I adore this story. It will personally resonate with anyone who has family tales of how their ancestors came to be a part of this nation. Not to be missed!" -Aimée Hayes, Producing Artistic Director

This World Premiere tells the story of a Holocaust survivor and an Irish immigrant who meet by chance in the hours before their American naturalization ceremony. Bearing deep wounds from the past, and carrying secrets too painful to tell, they forge a connection and learn they have more similarities than differences. Based in part on survivor testimony, this new American play looks at the many ways we yearn for freedom - not just "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," but also the freedom to face the truth about ourselves with grace, acceptance, and forgiveness.

"What drew me to this project is the underlying spirit of hope in these characters. Their suffering is at once unimaginable and all too real, and yet they persevere. There's also the idea of salvation. One person may not be able to save the world, but you may be able to save one other person, and maybe that's enough." -Sean Patterson, Playwright

Special Jewish Endowment Foundation Theatre Night! Our Thursday, July 11, Preview Performance is JEF Theatre Night, which will feature a meet and greet cocktail reception with the playwrights and actors after the show. Tickets are $50 and proceeds will go to the Jewish Endowment Foundation.

Special Ancient Order of the Hibernians Night! Our Friday, July 12, Preview Performance is Ancient Order of the Hibernians Night, which will feature a special talkback after the show. Tickets are $25 and $5 of every ticket will go to the The Ancient Order of the Hibernians.

Pay What You Can Night! Thursday, July 18, 7:30pm is Southern Rep's Pay What You Can performance.

Promotional materials including promotional shots can be found online at www.southernrep.com.

The Big Easy award-winning design team includes Set and Props Design by Jen Lindsley; Lighting Design by Alex Quinby; Sound Design by Mike Harkins; and Costume Design by Veronica Russell.

Lorraine LeBlanc (Yetta) is delighted to return to the stage in her New Orleans hometown. Since coming home Lorraine has played the title role in the DVD series Rivka, been featured in several short films and played Mary Bailey in IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE for NOLA Voice Talent Productions.

John Neisler (Danny) was last seen at Southern Rep Theatre in "afterlife: a ghost story"and OPUS. Currently an MFA student at UNO, he's been seen there in RACE, THE GOOD DOCTOR, ORESTES 2.0 and TAMING OF THE SHREW. Other local credits include: THE CORTEZ METHOD, FROM A LONG WAY OFF and THE WEIR.