Olympia Dukakis Hosts 'Masked' Talkback Dec.15

Academy Award winning actress Olympia Dukakis will lead an "Inside The Actors Studio"-style talkback with the cast of Masked after the 4PM matinee performance on December 15. Masked, the off-Broadway hit play is currently running at the DR2 Theatre (103 E. 15th Street).

This conversation will get to the heart of the creative process as Dukakis asks the Masked actors questions about their connection to the show, as well as sharing her feedback and thoughts about the artistic process of creating a character, and about art in the service of social awareness.

"Urgent Conversations," the Masked talk back series, explores the issues raised by this powerful work.  When the curtain falls, the conversation begins, and the pressing themes of Masked are given a forum in which all viewpoints can be explored.  The series features community leaders, experts in conflict resolution, influential writers, international reporters, prominent activists, and members of the play's creative team.

Since Masked opened late July, Outreach Director Mari Brown has presented over 40 "Urgent Conversations" panel discussions, featuring over 100 noteworthy speakers, and passionate audience participation.

Past participants include:
Ruth Dayan, peace activist and first wife of Moshe Dayan
Letty Cottin Pogrebin, past president of Americans for Peace Now and co-founder of Ms. Magazine
Rafi Dajani, Executive Director, American Task Force on Palestine
Dr. Alma Abdul-Hadi Jadallah, conflict resolution expert
Tovah Feldshuh, Tony Award winning actress
Rabbi David Saperstein, Director, Religious Action Center
Linda Sarsour, Director of the Arab American Association of New York
Lena Alhusseini, Executive Director of the Arab American Family Support Center
Professor Stephen Cohen, National Scholar, Israel Policy Forum
Ali Abu Awwad, Parents Circle-Bereaved Families Forum
Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon of Congregation B'nai Jeshurun

Masked, by Ilan Hatsor, is directed by Ami Dayan and produced by Maya Productions, Inc., Ronald Guttman / Highbrow Entertainment, Inc., and Seth A. Goldstein / The Splinter Group.

"An explosive play about three Palestinian brothers, Masked tackles the cultural divide at the heart of the Middle East conflict. Masked depicts the tragedy of one family torn between obligations, kinship, principles and survival. It is the first play by an Israeli playwright about the Intifada (Palestinian uprising)," explain press notes.

Masked won first place in Israel's prestigious Akko Festival for writer Ilan Hatsor (then a first year theater student). Since then, Masked has been performed continuously across Israel and has been mounted in over 100 productions worldwide.

The cast of Masked is: Sanjit DeSilva, Daoud Heidami, and Rafi Silver

Tickets for Masked are $35.50 - $55.50. Masked plays Tuesday at 7pm, Wednesday at 3pm and 8pm, Thursday - Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 4pm and 8pm, and Sunday at 4pm.