Starla Benford, Jade Eshete and More Star in Signature Theatre's OUR LADY OF KIBEHO, Beginning Tonight

Signature Theatre presents the World Premiere of OUR LADY OF KIBEHO by Katori Hall, directed by Michael Greif. The production runs tonight, October 28, through December 7, 2014 with a November 16 opening night in The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues).

The cast includes Starla Benford as Sister Evangelique, Jade Eshete as Girl 3, Danaya Esperanza as Girl 2, Niles Fitch as Emmanuel, Kambi Gathesha as Villager 1, Brent Jennings as Bishop Gahamanyi, Joaquina Kalukango as Marie-Clare Mukangango, Mandi Masden as Anathalie Mukamazimpaka, Owiso Odera as Father Tuyishime, Nneka Okafor as Alphonsine Mumureke, Stacey Sargeant as Girl 1, T. Ryder Smith as Father Flavia, Irungu Mutu as Villager 2, Angel Uwamahoro as Girl 4, Bowman Wright as Nkango.

In 1981, a village girl in Rwanda claims to see the Virgin Mary. Ostracized by her schoolmates and labeled disturbed, everyone refuses to believe, until the impossible starts happening again and again. Skepticism gives way to fear, faith, and fate, causing upheaval in the school community and beyond. Based on real events, Our Lady of Kibeho is the second production of Olivier Award-winning playwright Katori Hall's Residency at Signature.

The design team includes Rachel Hauck (Scenic Design), Emily Rebholz (Costume Design), Ben Stanton (Lighting Design), Matt Tierney (Sound Design), Peter Nigrini (Projection Design), Greg Meeh (Special Effects Design), Paul Rubin (Aerial Effects Design), Michael McElroy (Original Music, Arrangements and Music Direction), Rick Sordelet (Fight Direction), Dawn-Elin Fraser (Dialect Coach) and Faye Armon-Troncoso (Props & Set Dressing). Michael McGoff is the Production Stage Manager. Casting by Telsey + Company, Karyn Casl, CSA.

Supplemental programming has been set for OUR LADY OF KIBEHO. There will be post-show talkbacks on November 4, 20, 25 and December 2. There will be a pre-show Page to Stage discussion with playwright Katori Hall and director Michael Greif on Tuesday, November 11 at 6pm. There will also be two joint Backstage Pass events for OUR LADY OF KIBEHO and Sam Shepard's A PARTICLE OF DREAD (OEDIPUS VARIATIONS), which begins performances at Signature on November 11, 2014. Focus: On Music will feature Michael McElroy (Original Music, Arrangements and Music Direction for Our Lady of Kibeho) and Neil Martin (Composer and Cellist for A Particle of Dread (Oedipus Variations)) discussing composing and arranging music for new plays on December 3 at 6pm, and in Focus On: Dialects, Dialect Coaches Dawn-Elin Fraser (Our Lady of Kibeho) and Kate Wilson (A Particle of Dread (Oedipus Variations)) will discuss their roles in the rehearsal process on December 10 at 6pm.

To purchase tickets for all Signature productions, call Ticket Services at 212-244-7529 (Tues. - Sun., 11am - 6pm) or visit signaturetheatre.org.