'The Overwhelming' Hosts Rwanda Talkback Series with IRC

Roundabout Theatre Company is pleased to announce a post-show talkback series "Rwanda: Past, Present and Future" at their American premiere production of The Overwhelming.  The series will take place over a number of Tuesday evenings this fall (October 2, 30 & November 13), following the performance.  The series will feature speakers from the International Rescue Committee (IRC), members of The Overwhelming creative team and Roundabout teaching artists.

"Roundabout is proud to partner with the International Rescue Committee on their production of The Overwhelming, a play set in Rwanda on the eve of the genocide.  The IRC is a global leader in emergency relief, rehabilitation, protection of human rights, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression.  The International Rescue Committee began assisting Rwanda immediately following the 1994 genocide and today continues to help  the nation rebuild its physical, social, political and economic institutions," explain press materials.

Visit www.roundabouttheatre.org to find out a schedule of participants for each post-show discussion.  The schedule is subject to change.  For more information on the IRC visit their website at www.theirc.org.

Roundabout Theatre Company presents the American premiere of The Overwhelming, written by J.T. Rogers, directed by Max Stafford-Clark, featuring Chris Chalk, Ron Cephas Jones, Tisola Logan, Boris McGiver, Owiso Odera, Charles Parnell, Linda Powell, James Rebhorn, Sam Robards, Michael Stahl-David and Sharon Washington.

"The Overwhelming is the gripping story of an American family, newly arrived in Kigali, Rwanda, in early 1994, who come face-to-face with the realization that nothing and no one around them is what they understood it to be. Finding themselves embroiled in events beyond their understanding, three Americans struggle to discover who they can trust and what they will do when faced with matters of life and death," describe press notes.

The Overwhelming opens officially on Tuesday, October 23, 2007, Off-Broadway at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre (111 West 46th Street).  This is a limited engagement through December 23, 2007.  For tickets and more information visit www.roundabouttheatre.org.