Jeremiah W. Birkett, Jenny Jules Lead Arena's RUINED

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces casting and the creative team for Ruined, the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Arena Stage Project Resident Lynn Nottage. Staged for the first time in the round, this production of Ruined is the latest directorial project of Arena Stage Resident Playwright Charles Randolph-Wright, whose recent production of Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies was hailed by DC Theatre Scene as "hyperkinetic and full of life...electrifying, simply dynamite." Ruined runs in the Fichandler April 22-June 5, 2011.

Ruined features an award-winning cast, led by Jenny Jules as Mama Nadi, a British actress whose portrayal of Mama Nadi at Almeida Theatre recently won her a Critics Circle Theatre Award. Joining Jules is Jeremiah W. Birkett as Christian, whose stage credits include Broadway's Topdog/Underdog. Rachael Holmes appears as Sophie, who recently performed in Shakespeare Theatre Company's Richard II and Henry V, and Donnetta Lavinia Grays appears as Salima, who was last seen at Arena Stage in Well and whose Broadway credits include Well and In the Next Room (or the vibrator play). Local area favorite Lawrence Redmond appears as Mr. Harari, local rising actor Jamairais Malone appears as Josephine, and Arena Stage Master Teaching Artist Psalmayene 24 appears as Fortune. The full company as of March 8 is listed on the production fact sheet below.

This production of Ruined also includes an ensemble comprised of University of Maryland students from various areas of study. These additions to the cast will create a more lively, full stage than seen in past productions, and will help the wartime story appear more realistic. The ensemble features Jamar Brown, Ellentinya I. Dodd, Thony Mena, Jason Phillips, David Samuel, Anastasia Stewart and Hectorlyne P. Wuor, with student coordination by Renee Nyack.

The production also features live music onstage, with cast members David Foreman on percussion, Mongezi Ntaka and Ralph Waldo Robertson on guitar, and Daniel Ssuuna on traditional African instruments.

The Creative Team for Ruined features Director Charles Randolph-Wright, Set Designer Alexander V. Nichols, Costume Designer ESosa, Lighting Designer Michael Gilliam, Sound Designer and Composer Lindsay Jones, Dramaturg Amrita Mangus, Music Director Mongezi Ntaka, Fight Director Rob Hunter, Dialect Coach Kim James Bey, Stage Manager Kurt Hall, Assistant Stage Manager Jenna Henderson and Production Assistant Alexandria Wood.

WHEN: April 22, 2011 - June 5, 2011
Sunday, Tuesday & Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
Check calendar for exceptions and weekday matinees.

TICKETS: Tickets for Ruined start at $55, plus applicable fees, subject to change and based on availability. Discount tickets are available for patrons purchasing tickets for multiple shows, students and groups. A limited number of $15 tickets for patrons age 30 and under go on sale each Monday for performances that week. (All patrons must present valid ID.) HOTTIX, a limited number of half-price, day-of-performance tickets, are available 30 minutes before curtain prior to every performance. With Metro Mondays, patrons who present a SmarTrip or Metro card can purchase half-price tickets for the week's performances after noon on Mondays while supplies last. Tickets may be purchased online at www.arenastage.org, by phone at 202-488-3300 or at the Sales Office at 1101 6th St., SW, D.C.

Sales Office/Subscriptions 202-488-3300
TTY for deaf patrons 202-484-0247
Group Sales Hotline 202-488-4380
Info for patrons with disabilities 202-488-3300

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