The Gerald W. Lynch Theater Presents Demolition of the Eiffel Tower 9/9

The Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College presents Demolition of the Eiffel Tower as part of The 9/11 Performance Project, on Friday, September 9 at 7:30pm, followed by a JUST-US Dialogue, and Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 12pm at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College, 899 Tenth Avenue, NYC. Tickets are $20 ($10 students) and are available at www.ticketcentral.com or by phone at 212-279-4200.

Demolition of the Eiffel Tower, is a tragicomedy that addresses one ofthe modern world's most significant problems - terrorism arising as a consequence of global political and religious conflicts. The play confronts cultural divisions, religious fanaticism, violence, and issues regarding democracy and individual freedom in Europe. Above all, the play highlights misunderstandings, stereotypes, and prejudices created as a consequence of secular politics clashing with religious observations in Paris.

The play was written by Jeton Neziraj of Kosovo, directed by Kushtrim Bekteshi of Macedonia, was produced by International Theatre Festival MESS of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and stars Amar Selimovi?, Alban Ukaj, Adi Hrustemovi?, Irma Alimanovi?, and Alma Terzi?. For more information about the playwright, visit www.jetonneziraj.com. For more information on MESS Festival, visit www.mess.ba.

Special thanks to the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, for their generous support of Demolition of the Eiffel Tower.

Co-Produced with Professor Seth Baumrin, Chair of the Department of Communications and Theatre Arts at John Jay College, The 9/11 Performance Project is a set of three different yet complementary plays: The Domestic Crusaders written by Wajahat Ali, Another Life written by Karen Malpede, and Demolition of the Eiffel Tower written by Jeton Neziraj. The Project is a vehicle for cultural diplomacy that advocates reform of the post-September 11th political atmosphere and promotes a return to critical thinking, adherence to the rule of law, respect for civil liberties and upholding human rights in the United States and abroad. The goal of the performances and public dialogue is to create an experience that will engage the public and help society enact more progressive thinking and action in the search for understanding current U.S. and world policies, and their consequences, and furthering the understanding of Islam as it is lived today. A JUST-US Dialogue will follow most performances. Two student productions and a series of free panel discussions will round out The 9/11 Performance Project.

The 9/11 Performance Projectis supported [in part] by a generous grant from the Open Society Foundations.

Beginning in 2008, the Theater created what has become its signature series, ART OF JUSTICE, which focuses on how the artistic imagination can shed light on the many perceptions of justice in society. ART OF JUSTICE focuses on advocacy for marginalized communities through music, drama, dance and fine art. JUST-US Dialogues, a supplemental series, will be formally introduced this fall. Through intimate discussions, lectures and post-show dialogues with artists and experts, audiences will gain legible context and have the opportunity to exchange critical thinking and share perspectives. Provocative and engaging performances that explore topics ranging from the post 9/11 political and cultural environment in the United States and abroad, immigration and race, religious freedoms and separation of church and state are included in this season's ART OF JUSTICE series.

Since opening its doors in 1988, the Gerald W. Lynch Theater has been an invaluable cultural resource for John Jay College and the larger New York City community. Its signature series, The Art of Justice, is the only performance series in New York that presents a diverse exploration of the role performing arts have played in the pursuit of social, transitional and criminal justice. The Theater has collaborated with such noted companies as Epic Theatre Ensemble, Gotham Chamber Opera, and has also hosted prestigious events for Lincoln Center Festival, Great Performances, Juilliard, Alvin Ailey and numerous television specials for HBO and Comedy Central.

About John Jay College of Criminal Justice: An international leader in educating for justice, John Jay College of Criminal Justice of The City University of New York offers a rich liberal arts and professional studies curriculum to upwards of 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 135 nations. In teaching, scholarship and research, the College approaches justice as an applied art and science in servIce To society and as an ongoing conversation about fundamental human desires for fairness, equality and the rule of law. For more information, visit www.jjay.cuny.edu.

For more information, visit www.jjay.cuny.edu/theater.php.

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