Off-Broadway Re-Enters Lemkin's House, September 17

Body Politic Theater and Vital Theatre Company will present the return Off-Broadway engagement of Lemkin's House - billed as "a thought-provoking drama about the horrors of genocide" - written by Catherine Filloux, with previews beginning September 13, prior to an official press opening September 17 at McGinn-Cazale Theatre (2162 Broadway). Jean Randich directs.
 
"Winner of the 2006 Peace Writing Award from the OMNI Center for Peace, Lemkin's House centers on Raphael Lemkin, the Polish lawyer who invented the word 'genocide' and dedicated his life to having it declared an international crime. In Ms. Filloux's play, Lemkin is bombarded by people bursting into his home with complaints of more recent genocides in Rwanda and Bosnia. Lemkin must recognize that even his law is not enough to change the world. He weighs his ethical accomplishments against his guilt for deserting his own doomed family, ultimately seeking not only justice but also forgiveness. In Lemkin's House, it is the living who haunt the dead," according to press notes.

Lemkin's House had its US premiere at the 78th Street Theatre Lab in February, 2006, opening to strong critical and audience response. John Daggett returns as Raphael Lemkin. He is joined by original cast members Christopher Edwards, Laura Flanagan, Christopher McHale, and Connie Winston. The production also reunites its original design team: Sue Rees (set design); Matthew Adelson (lighting design); Camille Assaf (costume design); Robert Murphy (sound design).
 
On September 13, Ruth Messinger, former Manhattan Borough President and current President of the American Jewish World Service, which is currently involved in seeking justice for genocide victims in Darfur, will participate in a post-show talk-back. Additional talk-backs are to be announced.
 
Filloux's plays include: The Beauty Inside, Eyes of the Heart, Silence of God and Mary and Myra.

Lemkin's House runs September 13-October 8 at McGinn-Cazale Theatre (2162 Broadway), Wednesdays-Saturdays at 8pm; Sundays at 7pm. Tickets are $25 (group discounts are available). For reservations, call 212-352-3101 or visit www.theatermania.com.  Visit www.bodypolitictheater.org for www.vitaltheatre.org for more information.

Photo by Carol Rosegg-John Daggett and Laura Flanagan