Rajiv Joseph's Tense, Timely Drama THE NORTH POOL Comes to Redwood City

When Khadim, a Syrian-born student in a large U.S. high school is called into the vice principal's office to discuss recent absences, he soon becomes caught in a web of lies about crimes he may (or may not) have committed. This psychological thriller is a timely look at racial, cultural, and gender profiling in America.

The North Pool is a part of Dragon Productions Theatre Company's 2017 Second Stages Series. For the first time ever, Dragon's season has two thematic series. Part of the series entitled "Emerging Voices," The North Pool was actually pitched to Dragon separately by two different emerging artists, Jacquelyn Montellato (as a director) and Salim Razawi (as an actor). We were thrilled to be able to partner these two talents to tell this extraordinary and highly relevant story.

When asked what she wants audiences to take away from The North Pool, director Jacquelyn Montellato said "Talk, reach out, listen, empathize, remain loving, knit yourselves together in love, and remain humble. If you can just tell something has happened to someone, don't assume they'll "get over it". Feelings don't expire; we just get good at hiding them. If you think someone is feeling down, ask them about it and listen. Don't give advice. Just listen. Ask that person out to coffee that needs a pick-me-up, and speak up when you need help too. Someone is there. Someone is ALWAYS there."

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT: Rajiv Joseph's Broadway play, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo was a 2010 Pulitzer Prize finalist for drama, and was also awarded a grant for Outstanding New American Play by the National Endowment for the Arts. The show premiered in Los Angeles and moved to Broadway with Robin Williams in the lead role making his Broadway debut. Joseph's other New York productions include Gruesome Playground Injuries, Second Stage Theatre, 2011; Animals Out of Paper, Second Stage Theatre, summer 2008; The Leopard and the Fox (adaptation), Alter Ego, fall 2007; Huck & Holden, Cherry Lane Theatre, 2006; All This Intimacy, Second Stage Theatre, 2006. World premieres of new plays include The North Pool at Theatre Works in Palo Alto; The Lake Effect at Crossroads Theatre in New Jersey; and The Medusa Body at the Alley Theatre. He received his BA in Creative Writing from Miami University and his MFA in Dramatic Writing from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. He served for three years in the Peace Corps in Senegal.

Featuring the talents of: Edward Hightower (Dr. Danielson) and Salim Razawi (Khadim). Mr. Hightower is a member of the Actor's Equity Association.

Designers & Production Team: Alex Brown (Stage Manager), Jacquelyn Montellato (Director and Costume Designer), Karl Haller (Scenic Designer), Leanna Keyes (Lighting Designer), Charles McKeithan (Technical Director), Andrew Mondello (Sound Designer)

Performances run June 23 - July 16, 2017, playing Thursdays - Saturdays, 8pm, Sundays, 2pm. Doors open 30 minutes before the show. Pay what you will preview on Thurs., June 22nd at 8p. Opening night performance with post-show reception on Fri., June 23rd at 8p. Post-show discussion with the cast and director Sun., July 2nd.

The show has a run time of approximately 75 minutes and will be performed without an intermission. All shows run in The Dragon Theatre in downtown Redwood City, located at 2120 Broadway Street at the intersection of Broadway and Theatre Way.

Tickets: $35 for general admission seats; $27 for student/senior tickets. $15 rush tickets on Thursdays and Fridays starting 2nd week. Limited availability and cash only at the door. Pay what you will preview on Thursday June 22nd - no reservation necessary, just walk up and pay cash at the door. Doors open at 7:30p; show starts at 8p. $175 for the VIP box (seats 4 people and includes champagne and chocolates.)

Leave a voicemail at 650-493-2006 x 2 and your call will be returned within 2 business days. If you'd rather email, contact Josiah at tickets@dragonproductions.net. The Dragon Box Office is not staffed 7 days a week so there might be a delay in response. Buying tickets online at www.dragonproductions.net is the very best way to reserve a ticket in advance, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For tickets and more information, visit dragonproductions.net.