MERRIMACK REP PRESENTS
TWO JEWS WALK INTO A WAR…
MARCH 17 – ARPIL 10, 2011
PRESS NIGHT: SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 7PM
Lowell, MA – The last two surviving Jews in all of Afghanistan attempt to continue their lives and find a purpose amidst the chaos and destruction of their country in Seth Rozin’s comedy Two Jews Walk Into A War…, directed by Melia Bensussen, atMerrimack Repertory Theatre, March 17 – April 10, 2011. Inspired by the true story of the last two Jews living in Kabul, Afghanistan, the only thing seeming to bind this small Jewish community together is that they both hate each other’s guts. Hysterically funny while at the same time amazingly poignant, this odd couple’s bold solution for rebuilding their community not only brings them closer to the essence of their faith, but, quite possibly, to each other. Tickets are available online atwww.MerrimackRep.org or by calling 978.654.4MRT.
The all-Equity cast of Two Jews Walk Into A War… features Elliot Norton and IRNE award winners Jeremiah Kissel and Will LeBow making their return to Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s stage. Jeremiah Kissel appears at MRT for the tenth time, having previously performed in A Moon for the Misbegotten, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Amadeus, Twelfth Night, Rumors, Round and Round the Garden, Table Manners, Betrayal, and Monday After the Miracle. Will LeBow has previously appeared inTwelfth Night and A Christmas Carol. Obie Award-winner Melia Bensussen returns to Merrimack Rep for the fourth time, after previously directing The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead, Aunt Dan & Lemon, and Something in the Air. The design team is Richard Chambers (Scenic Design), Judy Gailen (Costume Design), Dan Kotlowitz (Lighting Design) and David Remedios (Sound Design).
"The combination of two such terrific actors as Will LeBow and Jerry Kissel will make this darkly funny play a feast of wit and heart” say director Melia Bensussen. “Based on the real story of the last two Jews of Kabul, Two Jews... points out to us what it means to find meaning in the midst of complete chaos, such as war and racial hatred can engender. Add to this a vaudevillian ricochet at every turn – It’s great fun to work on this production, and I know it will also be a great treat to see."
Seth Rozin is the author of several plays, including Men of Stone (Barrymore Award for Outstanding New Play nominee),Missing Link (Barrymore Award for Outstanding New Play nominee), Reinventing Eden, The Space Between Us, Black Gold, and Two Jews Walk Into A War.... Past productions of Two Jews Walk Into A War… include Florida Stage, New Jersey Repertory Theatre and Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey, Shadowland Theatre, Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, and InterAct. He has also written the book, lyrics and music for a new musical entitled A Passing Wind: The (Mostly) True Story Of Joseph Pujol, about the rise and fall of the world’s greatest “fartiste,” which will be premiered as part of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts’ Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts in April, 2011. Seth is the recipient of two playwriting fellowships from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the 2007 Smith Prize, as well as a 2002 new play commission from the Foundation for Jewish Culture. He is the founder and Producing Artistic Director of InterAct Theatre Company, where he has directed over 45 productions, including the world premieres of Thomas Gibbons’ Permanent Collection, Bee-Luther-Hatchee, Black Russian, A House With No Walls and 6221. He served as President of the National New Play Network from 2002-2006, and currently chairs the Philadelphia New Play Initiative.
Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s 2010-2011 season is sponsored by Lowell Cooperative Bank. Two Jews Walk Into A War… is sponsored by Wannalancit Mills, an interest of Farley White. Merrimack Repertory Theatre is funded in part by theMassachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
CAST BIOS
Jeremiah Kissel (Zeblyan) Merrimack Repertory Theatre: A Moon for the Misbegotten, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Amadeus, Twelfth Night, Rumors, Round and Round the Garden, Betrayal, Monday After the Miracle. New York: An Ideal Husband, Lady Windermere’s Fan, A Doll’s House, The Playboy of the Western World, West Side Repertory Theatre.Regional: The Sisters Rosensweig, A Month in the Country, The Cherry Orchard, Circle Mirror Transformation, Sonia Flew, Huntington Theatre; Henry V, The Accident and Three Farces and a Funeral, American Repertory Theatre; The Scene,Noises Off and Drinking in America, Lyric Stage; Hamlet, The Tempest, As You Like It, Romeo and Juliet, Henry V,Commonwealth Shakespeare Company; Merchant of Venice, Actors Shakespeare Project; Little Black Dress, Boston Playwrights’ Theatre; Shear Madness, The Charles Playhouse; The Odd Couple, Nickerson Theatre; The Chalk Garden,Sharon Playhouse; Table Manners, American Stage Festival; The Fred Allen Show, Cleveland Playhouse. TV/Film: The Townwith John Hamm, The Fighter with Christian Bale, and the premiere episode of ABC’s Body of Proof opposite Dana Delaney.Awards: A thirty year veteran of Boston’s stages, Jerry is the winner of several Norton and IRNE awards, and in 2003 received Boston’s top honor, the Elliot Norton Prize for Sustained Excellence.
Will LeBow (Ishaq) Merrimack Repertory Theatre: Twelfth Night, A Christmas Carol. Off Broadway: Nocturne (Drama Desk nomination); Oliver Twist, Theatre for a New Audience. Regional: American Repertory Theatre, fifty-five productions including The Merchant of Venice, Romance, Full Circle (Elliot Norton Award), Oliver Twist, Romeo and Juliet, No Exit, Three Sisters, The Miser, The Birthday Party, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Lysistrata, Marat/Sade, Othello, Animals and Plants, Nocturne, The Doctor’s Dilemma, Three Farces and a Funeral, Full Circle, We Won’t Pay! We Won’t Pay!,The Cripple of Innishman, The Marriage of Bette and Boo. Love’s Labours Lost, The Rivals, Sonia Flew, Huntington Theatre; Twelfth Night, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company; Shear Madness. International: Six Characters in Search of an Author, The King Stag, Taiwan Theatre Festival; Moscow Art Theatre. Film: Next Stop Wonderland, What Doesn’t Kill You, Second Sight. Television: Stanley, Dr. Katz Professional Therapist. Narrator: Polar Express, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Christmas Carol, Casey At the Bat, A Kennedy Legacy, Boston Pops, Keith Lockhart conducting; Ariadne Auf Naxos, Boston Lyric Opera; Abduction from the Seraglio, Boston Symphony Orchestra.
SPECIAL EVENTS FOR TWO JEWS WALK INTO A WAR…:
Pay What You Can Night – March 17 at 7:30PM. Patrons may purchase tickets in cash at the Box Office between 4:30PM-7:30PM and name their ticket price. Following the performance, there will also be a Director’s Dialogue, where the director and designers field audience questions and describe how the play was staged. Lowell Night – March 19 at 8PM. Lowell residents may purchase tickets for $10 at the box office from 5PM-8PM. Proper ID required. Opening Night – March 20 at 7PM. Audience members are invited to join Merrimack Rep’s staff and cast after the show in raising a glass of champagne to celebrate the opening of the production. Cookie Matinee – March 23 at 2PM. Patrons enjoy complimentary cookies and coffee in the lobby before the show, courtesy of Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus. Post Show Forums – March 24, March 31 and April 7 at 7:30PM. Audiences can stay after the performance to learn the inside scoop and chat with the actors. Sponsored by Yellowbook.
TICKETS: Tickets to all productions in the 2010-2011 Season are on sale now. Tickets begin at $25. Discounts are available for students, seniors and groups. Tickets may be purchased online at www.MerrimackRep.org or by calling the Box Office at 978.654.4MRT (4678).
SUBSCRIPTIONS: Don’t miss a single show! Early Bird 7-Play subscription packages are now on sale to Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s 2011-2012 season. Subscribe by April 10th and receive 25% off the regular single ticket prices. All subscriptions include exclusive subscriber-only benefits, including free parking, restaurant and theatre discounts, lost ticket insurance and free, unlimited ticket exchanges. For season or subscription information, call 978.654.4MRT (4678), or visitwww.MerrimackRep.org.
For more information, bios, interviews, or photos, please contact Dan Berube at 978.654.7595 orberube@merrimackrep.org.
For MRT show times, tickets, season information, directions, or to request a brochure, please visitwww.MerrimackRep.org or call the Box Office at 978.654.4MRT (4678).
The nationally-acclaimed and award-winning Merrimack Repertory Theatre is located in beautiful historic downtown Lowell at Liberty Hall, the Company’s intimate 308-seat theatre, 50 E. Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852 (adjacent to Lowell Memorial Auditorium). Each season, Merrimack Rep presents an eclectic mix of contemporary productions, engaging the country’s best available actors, designers and directors. Founded in 1979, MRT’s mission is “To advance the cause of human understanding by creating theatrical productions at the highest level of artistic excellence and making them affordable to the broadest possible community.” Its unique artistic vision is shaped by a passion for excellence and a profound commitment to its community. MRT strives to enhance the community’s quality of life while contributing to its economic strength, measuring success by the depth of the Company’s artistic and social contribution to the region.
Merrimack Repertory Theatre's 2010-2011 Season
Reduced Shakespeare Company® in The Complete World of Sports (abridged) by Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor, September 9 – October 3, 2010; Four Places by Joel Drake Johnson, October 14 – November 7, 2010; Beasley’s Christmas Party adapted by C.W. Munger, from the story by Booth Tarkington, November 26 – December 19, 2010; Tryst by Karoline Leach, January 6 – January 30, 2011; The Exceptionals by Bob Clyman, February 10 – March 6, 2011; Two Jews Walk Into A War… by Seth Rozin, March 17 – April 10, 2011; A Picasso by Jeffrey Hatcher, April 21 – May 15, 2011.
