{"id":11239,"date":"2015-09-03T10:27:20","date_gmt":"2015-09-03T15:27:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/college.unc.edu\/?p=11239"},"modified":"2024-07-02T16:07:57","modified_gmt":"2024-07-02T16:07:57","slug":"disgraced","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/collegearchive.unc.edu\/?p=11239","title":{"rendered":"PlayMakers\u2019 main-stage season opens Sept. 16 with \u2018Disgraced\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"PlayMakers-Disgraced-Print\"<\/a>PlayMakers Repertory Company<\/a>, the professional theater in residence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, kicks off its new main-stage season Sept. 16-Oct. 4 with the award-winning comedy-drama \u201cDisgraced\u201d by Ayad Akhtar. PlayMakers will also host additional special events associated with the show beginning Sept. 9.<\/p>\n

In the play, an upwardly mobile Pakistani-American lawyer has achieved success while distancing himself from his Muslim heritage. When he and his wife host a dinner party, friendly conversation turns to politics and religion, escalating into something far more dangerous.<\/p>\n

\u201cDisgraced\u201d enjoyed lauded Broadway, Off-Broadway and London runs, garnering numerous honors including the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Obie Award for Best Playwriting for Akhtar and a 2015 Tony Award nomination for Best Play. Including it among the Ten Best Plays of 2012, The New York Times said \u201cDisgraced\u201d \u201cbristles with wit and intelligence\u201d and \u201cputs contemporary attitudes toward religion under a microscope.\u201d Variety\u2019s rave review called it \u201ca blistering social drama.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Left<\/a>
Left to right: Nicole Gabriella Scipione as Emily and Rajesh Bose as Amir in PlayMakers Repertory Company\u2019s production of \u201cDisgraced\u201d by Ayad Akhtar. (Photo by Jon Gardiner)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Performances will take place in the Paul Green Theatre in UNC-Chapel Hill\u2019s department of dramatic art on Country Club Road. Show times will be Tuesdays through Saturdays and Sunday, Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays and Saturday, Oct. 3 at 2 p.m. There are no performances on Saturday, Sept. 26.<\/p>\n

The production is directed by Shishir Kurup, director\/composer\/playwright and ensemble member of Los Angeles\u2019 Cornerstone Theatre Company. His work has been seen from Off-Broadway to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and at theaters across the country. He is a recipient of the Kennedy Center Award, L.A. Weekly Award and Drama-Logue Awards. As an actor, he has had roles on \u201cTrue Blood,\u201d \u201cLost,\u201d \u201cHeroes,\u201d \u201cAlias\u201d and \u201cThe West Wing,\u201d among other films and TV programs.<\/p>\n

In conjunction with \u201cDisgraced,\u201d PlayMakers will host \u201cThe Vision Series-Directors in Conversation,\u201d a behind-the-scenes preview with Kurup, Sept. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Paul Green Theatre. The event is free and open to the public. Participants will share coffee and hors d\u2019oeuvres provided by series sponsor Jujube Restaurant, learn about the vision for the show and get a sneak peek at the sets and costumes in progress. Reservations are appreciated. Call PlayMakers\u2019 box office at (919) 962-7529 to RSVP.<\/p>\n

\"Left<\/a>
Left to right: Benjamin Curns as Isaac, Rasool Jahan as Jory, Rajesh Bose as Amir and Nicole Gabriella Scipione as Emily in PlayMakers Repertory Company\u2019s production of \u201cDisgraced\u201d by Ayad Akhtar. (Photo by Jon Gardiner)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Other special events include:<\/p>\n