Polarity Ensemble Theatre Presents World Premiere of KABULITIS, 9/20-10/30

Polarity Ensemble Theatre, in association with Rasaka Theatre Company, presents the world premiere of the late playwright Keith Anwar's drama, Kabulitis, September 20 - October 30, 2011. Winner of the Polarity Ensemble's 2010 Dionysos Cup Festival of New Plays, Kabulitis gives an intimate look into the life of an American woman married to an Afghan and living in Kabul, Afghanistan. The story was inspired by the lives and stories of the playwright's parents and family, giving an insider's perspective into life within the country in which the U.S. has had a military presence for the past decade.

Kabulitis is a touching drama based on Anwar's mother's experiences, telling the story of an elderly American woman in the Early Stages of Alzheimer's disease who is haunted by memories of Afghanistan.

Mr. Anwar's father was a native of Afghanistan who with his Brooklyn-born wife took part in an ill-fated attempt to promote secularism and modern thinking in mid-20th century Afghanistan. In Afghanistan his parents received numerous death threats, in part because his mother refused to yield to demands she wear a veil - a stance her husband supported - and eventually were forced to leave the country. His parents returned to New York, where the playwright was born and raised. Several years ago, Mr. Anwar joined the Oak Park Writers Group, Chicago Dramatists and the Dramatists Guild. He began writing a series of short plays, many of which were given staged readings in area theaters.

Kabulitis will be directed by Lavina Jadhwani, Artistic Director of Rasaka Theatre Company, an ensemble dedicated to providing a platform for the artistic expression of South Asian artists. The script was revised by Anwar shortly after its production in the 2010 Dionysos Cup and just before his death from liver cancer at age 58, in July 2010.

"Given America's involvement in Afghanistan, the play could not be timelier," said Polarity Artistic Director Richard Engling. "It is an important play for our understanding of some of the issues there, but it is also a beautiful, personal, family drama. And for us at Polarity, it is a vital tribute to Keith Anwar to help his work live on. He was an impressive talent, sadly cut short."

The cast of Kabulitis includes Caron Buinis (Mildred), Nawaf Gasem (Majid), Plamen Mencheff (Mullah), Anupama Bhatt (Anahita/Anita), Jonas David Gray (Rob), Catherine Stegman (Andrea/Nabila), Kamal Hans (Da'ud), and Gustavo Obregon (Hamed). The creative team includes Lavina Jadhwani (Director), Richard Engling (Script Dramaturg), Topher Soltys (Production Manager), Chuck Palia (Set Designer/Technical Director), Dayna Shrader (Lighting Designer), Yonit Olshan (Costumer) and Alex Fliess (Prop Master).

Polarity Ensemble Theatre performs in residence at Wicker Park's Josephinum Academy. The theater is located at the 1500 N. Bell Street entrance. Previews begin September 20th, with press opening on Thursday, September 22nd and a Gala Premiere Night Friday, September 23rd. Tickets are $10 for previews, $19 for regular run, and $35 for Gala Premiere Night which includes a post-show reception. Senior discount tickets (age 65 and older) are $15, and student discount tickets are $10 with valid ID. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 3pm. Seating is general admission. For tickets and more information visit www.petheatre.com or call the box office at 800-838-3006.

Listing Information:

Kabulitis
By Keith Anwar
Directed by Lavina Jadhwani
September 20 through October 30, 2011
Polarity Ensemble Theatre is in residence
at Josephinum Academy
1500 N. Bell Street
in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood

Performance Times:
Previews: Tuesday and Wednesday, September 20 and 21 at 8:00 p.m.
Press Opening - Thursday, September 22 at 8:00 p.m.
Gala Premiere Night - Friday, September 23 at 8:00 p.m.
Regular Run: Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

Tickets:
800-838-3006 or online at www.petheatre.com
Groups (6+): 847-293-7705 or boxoffice@petheatre.com
Previews: $10
Press Opening and Regular Run: $19

Gala Premiere Night: $35
Student Tickets: $10 with valid I.D.
Seniors (65+ yrs.): $15
Groups: $5 discount per ticket for groups of 6 or more. (Excludes Gala Premiere Night).
Public Transit/Parking:
Polarity Ensemble Theatre at the Josephinum Academy, 1500 N. Bell Street, is located one block south of North Avenue and three blocks west of the Damen stop on the CTA Blue Line.
Free street parking is available.

POLARITY ENSEMBLE THEATRE is a professionally diverse group of artists who strive to advance the state of Chicago theater for both local and international audiences by developing new works and bringing new life to the classics through live performance, workshops, and publishing.

RASAKA THEATRE COMPANY is based in Chicago and is the Midwest's first South Asian American ensemble. Our goal is to increase diversity among artists and audience by engaging and illuminating the South Asian American experience. We are particularly dedicated to providing a platform for the artistic expression of South Asian artists. Our vision encompasses the production of theatrical projects - newly created, adapted and already established. We aim to broaden, strengthen and enrich the experience of the theatre going audience thereby enhancing the local, regional, national and international reputation of Chicago theatre.

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