BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO Concludes Limited Run July 3 As Scheduled; Productions in Germany, France, Italy & Possibly London Next

Only three weeks remain in the 16-week strictly-limited engagement of BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO -- Rajiv Joseph's critically-acclaimed play starring Robin Williams -- set to conclude its Broadway run on July 3 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 W. 46 St.) in Manhattan. Directed by Moises Kaufman and starring Robin Williams in his Broadway acting debut, BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO remains one of the most widely-praised new plays of the season.

BENGAL TIGER's run on Broadway is the most recent chapter in the remarkable life of this new American play, which had its world-premiere in 2009 at Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles, returned there by popular demand in 2010, and was a finalist that year for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The play began previews on Broadway on March 11, 2011 and opened March 31. BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO marked playwright Rajiv Joseph's Broadway debut, as well.

The next leg of the play's journey will take it to Europe as rights to the play have been sold for productions in Germany, Italy and France, it has been announced by BENGAL TIGER producer Robyn Goodman, adding that discussions are underway for a London production, as well.

BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO has been nominated for three Tony Awards, including Best Featured Actor in a Play for Arian Moayed; Best Lighting Design for David Lander; and Best Sound Design of a Play for Acme Sound and Cricket S. Myers. The production received two Drama Desk Awards -- Best Lighting for David Lander and Best Sound Design for Acme Sound and Cricket S. Myers.

The New York Times review of BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO hailed the play as "A visionary new work of American theater." Time Out NY called BENGAL TIGER "a gripping ferocious new drama," and the Associated Press said the play is "brave, bold and fascinating -- you can't turn away." Newsday wrote, "BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO is excellent and deliriously original," and the Los Angeles Times called it "daring and magnificent."

Mr. Williams along with the entire cast have received considerable acclaim for their performances in BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO.

About Mr. Williams, Variety wrote, "Robin Williams is phenomenal." And The New York Times said, "Mr. Williams gives a performance of focused intelligence and integrity, embodying the animal who becomes the play's questioning conscience with a savage bite that never loosens its grip. And, oh yes, Mr. Williams is quite funny too."

Featured along with Robin Williams in the cast of BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO are Glenn Davis, Brad Fleischer, Arian Moayed, Hrach Titizian, Sheila Vand and Necar Zadegan.

With the exception of Mr. Fleischer, all of the actors in BENGAL TIGER made their Broadway debut with this production.

In BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO, the lives of two American marines and an Iraqi translator are forever changed by an encounter with a quick-witted tiger who haunts the streets of war-torn Baghdad attempting to find meaning, forgiveness and redemption amidst the city's ruins. Rajiv Joseph's ground-breaking new American play explores both the powers and perils of human
nature.

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