Photo Flash: Arena Stage Hosts INTELLIGENCE Meet and Greet

Jacqueline E. Lawton's new political thriller Intelligence makes its world premiere at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Under the direction of Daniella Topol (Round House's Ironbound), Intelligence explores the cost of deception and the consequences of speaking truth to power. Due to popular demand, the production has been extended for one week with eight additional performances and will run February 24-April 9, 2017 in the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle.

Intelligence is a fictionalized account of a covert operative who, tasked with protecting the national security of the United States post-9/11, is racing to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. With her country at war, her cover is blown and the lives of her assets are put in jeopardy. Inspired by true events, Intelligence follows one woman's journey to serve her country, protect her family and fight for the truth and justice.

The production features Tony Award nominee Hannah Yelland (Broadway's Brief Encounter) as Valerie Plame, Lawrence Redmond (Arena Stage's All the Way) as her husband Joseph Wilson, Nora Achrati (Forum Theatre's I Call My Brothers) as Leyla Nazari, Ethan Hova (Woolly Mammoth's Guards at the Taj) as Dr. Malik Nazari and Aakhu TuahNera Freeman (Arena Stage's The Great White Hope) as Elaine Matthews.

"What excites me most about Jacqueline Lawton's new play and Arena's new Power Plays initiative is that we will explore politics from 1776 to the present day," shares Artistic Director Molly Smith. "This story of truth and lies amidst great political pressure in 2003 provides a fascinating look at what it means to be an American."

Intelligence is the third commission to debut as part of Arena Stage's Power Plays, an ambitious initiative commissioning and developing 25 new plays and musicals from 25 writers over the course of the next 10 years. With Power Plays, Arena Stage focuses Washington, D.C.'s unique theatrical voice on politics and power, amplifying the theater's role as a national center dedicated to American voices and artists, located in the heart of the nation's capital. The massive undertaking features one story per decade, beginning with 1776 through today, and builds on the tremendous success of two previous Arena Stage commissions and Power Plays-John Strand's The Originalist and Lawrence Wright's Camp David.

"I'm honored that Intelligence will receive a world premiere as part of the Power Plays initiative," says Lawton. "Writing this play has forced me to process the betrayal I felt when the Bush Administration told a series of lies that led to the war in Iraq. This historical fiction is as much a political thriller as it is a clarion call for citizens to hold their leaders accountable. Never before has this message been more urgent than right now, and there is no better place for this play to be presented than at Arena Stage, in the heart of the nation's capital."

"I am thrilled to direct Intelligence, a fast-paced and emotionally-charged political drama that captures the complexity of one woman's journey to serve her country and her family in uncertain times," adds Topol. "Arena, with its steadfast commitment to launching political plays of resonance, is the ideal theater to launch this vital and relevant new play. And I am honored to work with such an excellent cast and creative team who will create an innovative and ambitious production."

The real, living people depicted in Intelligence (specifically Valerie Plame and Joseph Wilson) did not authorize the writing of this play, nor did they participate in or otherwise give consent or approval of this production. Certain dramatic elements have been added to the documented facts.

(L to R) Playwright Jacqueline E. Lawton and Hannah Yelland (Valerie Plame) at the first rehearsal ofIntelligence, running February 24-April 9, 2017 at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Photo courtesy Arena Stage.

(L to R) Playwright Jacqueline E. Lawton, Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith and director Daniella Topol at the first rehearsal of Intelligence, running February 24-April 9, 2017 at Arena Stage at the MeadCenter for American Theater. Photo courtesy Arena Stage.

(L to R) Nora Achrati (Leyla Nazari) and Ethan Hova (Dr. Malik Nazari) at the first rehearsal ofIntelligence, running February 24-April 9, 2017 at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Photo courtesy Arena Stage.

(L to R) Hannah Yelland (Valerie Plame), Aakhu TuahNera Freeman (Elaine) and Lawrence Redmond (Joseph Wilson) at the first rehearsal of Intelligence, running February 24-April 9, 2017 at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Photo courtesy Arena Stage

(L to R) Director Daniella Topol and Arena Stage Deputy Artistic Director Seema Sueko at the first rehearsal of Intelligence, running February 24-April 9, 2017 at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Photo courtesy Arena Stage.

(L to R) Playwright Jacqueline E. Lawton, Aakhu TuahNera Freeman (Elaine) and Lawrence Redmond (Joseph Wilson) at the first rehearsal of Intelligence, running February 24-April 9, 2017 at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Photo courtesy Arena Stage.

The company at the first rehearsal of Intelligence, running February 24-April 9, 2017 at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Photo courtesy Arena Stage.