(Red Bank, NJ) The Syringa Tree, an evocative and haunting drama by South African author Pamela Gien, will be presented by Two River Theatre Company at the Algonquin Arts Theatre beginning on March 24. A story of an enduring love between two South African families – one black, one white – is seen through the eyes of a young girl and follows the families’ destinies through four generations from Apartheid to the present day. This Obie Award-winning, remarkable story involves 24 characters – male and female, black and white, young and old, English and Afrikaaner – all played by one actress in a tour de force performance.
The Syringa Tree is about growing up “white” in Apartheid South Africa. It is deeply political without ever mentioning politics. Instead, it reveals the crippling effect of Apartheid and the healing power of love and family.
Shannon Koob, who has wowed audiences in major playhouses around the country, will star in TRTC’s production. Ms. Koob returns to The Syringa Tree after having performed the play to critical raves and standing ovations at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, where she received a Cincinnati Entertainment Award for her performance. She subsequently performed The Syringa Tree in Vienna, Austria. Ms. Koob’s other regional credits include several world premieres, several seasons at the Denver Center for Performing Arts, and stints at Long Wharf Theatre and Shakespeare in Santa Fe.
Michael Evan Haney, Associate Artistic Director at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, directs the production. Mr. Haney’s credits include numerous productions at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. While serving as Artistic Director of Allenberry Playhouse in Pennsylvania, he directed over thirty plays, including his own adaptation of Mark Twain’s “Adam & Eve.” He has also directed at Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, Mark Taper Forum, Arena Stage, as well as other major regional theaters. Mr. Haney’s acting credits include the Broadway production of Elie Wiesel’s Zalmen.
The Syringa Tree will be Two River Theatre Company’s final production at its temporary home at the Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan. TRTC’s new, permanent state-of-the-art theatre in Red Bank will open its doors this May with the hilarious comedy, You Can’t Take It With You, as its final play of the 2004/2005 season.
Single tickets for The Syringa Tree are $24 to $40, with discounts for patrons over 65. Groups of ten or more are eligible for discounts. Performances are at the Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan, NJ from March 24 – April 10, 2005, and tickets are available online at www.trtc.org, or by calling 732-345-1400.
An Audio Described performance for patrons who are blind or visually impaired is set for Thursday, April 7.
For more information and up-to-date photos of TRTC’s new Red Bank theater, visit: www.trtc.org.
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