Ahmed's Play Raisins Not Virgins Runs Through Oct. 15

The WorkShop Theater Company's production of Raisins Not Virgins by Sharbari Ahmed and directed by Thomas Cote, will run through October 15th at the WorkShop Theater (312 W. 36th St., on the 4th flor, between 8th and 9th Avenues).�� The show, billed as a "romantic comedy about jihad," began performances there on September 23rd.
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"Raisins Not Virgins is a tale of spiritual and political turmoil set against a backdrop of New York dating angst.� It traces the hilarious journey and jihad of a young American-Muslim woman as she traverses the minefields of identity and love.� Sahar Salam is a 29 year old, apolitical, well-heeled, and lonely New York advertising professional who loses her boyfriend to causes and ideologies greater than she is willing to admit.� This loss forces her to confront a lifelong resentment against the religion of her birth, Islam. It also marks the beginning of her personal jihad, which, for Sahar, involves a great deal of drinking and a dubious flirtation with the world of art," according to press notes.

"The title Raisins Not Virgins refers to a controversial Koranic verse that supposedly states a Muslim martyr will receive the reward of virgins in heaven. Recent interpretations have found that the arabic word more accurately translates into raisin, specifically raisins of 'startling white clarity.'� The latter translation may have more credence given the high premium placed on a good raisin at the time."

Ahmed, also playing Sahar, is of Bangladeshi and Muslim background and a die-hard New Yorker.� She was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh, grew up in Chester CT, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Japan and studied Mandarin in China.� She began work on Raisins Not Virgins after the events of September 11th in an attempt to confront her Muslim identity.� It was briefly produced in 2003 and she has since written a screenplay version.� Ahmed, a published author and English professor, attended Northfield Mt. Hermon, holds a BA in English and Journalism from Marymount College and an MA in Creative Writing from NYU.

Entering its 12th season, the WorkShop Theater Company specializes in the development of new plays.� The company also nurtures the talents of actors, playwrights and directors with the presentation of readings and workshops as well as fully staged plays, musicals and multi-media productions.� The company's two-theater complex on 36th Street includes the 65-seat Main Stage Theater and the 35-seat Jewel Box Theater.� The film Finding Neverland began as the stage play The Man Who Was Peter Pan by Allen Knee, which was presented by the company in 1998. The WorkShop has also presented premiere productions of the plays Angel Wings by Murray Schisgal (who is bes

The show runs September 24, 27, 28, October 1, 6, 7, 8 ,12, 13, 14 and 15, weekdays at 8:00 pm,� Saturdays at 9:00 pm (Except October 15 at 8pm).� Tickets are $15.00, $10.00 with current student ID.� TDF accepted.� For reservations please call 212-695-4173 or visit TheaterMania.com to purchase tickets online.� For more information, visit www.workshoptheater.org.

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