Photo Flash: Signature Theatre presents the World Premiere of 4,380 NIGHTS

Signature Theatre is proud to present the world premiere of 4,380 Nights by DC playwright Annalisa Dias. The production is directed by Kathleen Akerley (Artistic Director of Longacre Lea) and features Ahmad Kamal(Woolly Mammoth's KISS) as Malik Essaid/El Hadj El Kaim, Michael John Casey (Shakespeare Theatre's Othello, Folger Theatre's Henry V) as Bud Abramson/Man, Rex Daugherty (Signature's Shakespeare's R&J) as Luke/Colonel Pelissier, and Lynette Rathnam (Ford Theatre's Death of a Salesman) as Woman (complete cast and creative team bios are below). 4,380 Nights runs from January 16 through February 18 in Signature Theatre's ARK Theatre. 4,380 Nights is Signature's submission to the 2018 Women's Voices Theater Festival.

"I first discovered this work when reviewing submissions for our SigWorks new play readings series," said Joe Calarco, Signature's Resident Director/Director of New Works. "What started as a 15-minute short play has expanded into a full-length piece and had readings and workshops as it has evolved over the last two years. I'm thrilled it will represent Signature as part of the Women's Voices Theater Festival and kick off our SigWorks: Heidi Thomas Writer' Initiative."

In speaking about this work, playwright Annalisa Dias said, "Recently, I've found myself wondering what kind of ancestors will we be to our descendants. 4,380 Nights feels to me like a deeply needed meditation on power, history, and the hope and solace of interconnectedness. The first draft of this piece was read for the first time as part of the SigWorks series in 2016. I'm thrilled and humbled that the Signature staff and company of artists has believed in my voice both then and now as we head into production. It's an exciting time to be a DC Playwright!"

Kathleen Akerley, 4,380 Nights Director added, "Annalisa and I have collaborated as dramaturg/director, assistant director/director and actor/director: I'm excited to expand that list and humbled to be doing so on such a weighty and profoundly beautiful play."

For the last 12 years, or 4,380 days, Malik Djamal Ahmad Essaid has been held without charge by the United States government at the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center. As he languishes in his cell, his interactions with those on the outside is juxtaposed with historical events in a riveting exposé into the most dangerous prison of all - fear.

Led by Akerley, the creative team includes Scenic Design by Elizabeth Jenkins (Round House Theatre's Nixon Nixon); Lighting Design by John Burkland (Theater Alliance's The Wonderful World of Dissocia); Costume Design by Heather Lockard (Forum Theatre's Building the Wall); Sound Design by Neil McFadden (National Tour of Caps for Sale); Fight Choreography by Robb Hunter (Arena Stage's The Pajama Game); and Production Stage Manager Julie Meyer.

Photos by C Stanley Photography.

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