Stages Repertory Theatre And The Evelyn Rubenstein JCC Present THE REVISIONIST

Stages Repertory Theatre, in partnership with The Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center ("the J"), presents the regional premiere of playwright and Academy Award-nominated actor Jesse Eisenberg's original drama The Revisionist, running April 10-22, 2018. All performances of The Revisionist will take place at the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center.

The Revisionist continues Stages' relationship with the J. with whom Stages and Black Lab Theatre previously collaborated on 2015's hit Bad Jews. "Stages is remarkably proud to partner with the J again to produce work with deep and important meaning to modern age," Stages Artistic Director Kenn McLaughlin said. "The Revisionist is a beautifully human story about two disenfranchised members of a Jewish family fighting to build a new connection. And I think it is the perfect play to continue our important partnership with the J."

Originally produced by Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre at the Cherry Lane Theatre in New York City in 2013, with Jesse Eisenberg and Vanessa Redgrave in the starring roles, The Revisionist follows the young Jewish writer David, in the throes of revising his science-fiction novel, as he arrives in Poland to meet his 75-year-old Holocaust-survivor cousin Maria. Fueled by a desire to reconnect with her American relatives, Maria welcomes him into her home; but as their relationship develops, details about her post-war pas challenge each of them to redefine what it means to be family.

"The Revisionist at its core is a play about family and the particular challenges for Polish Jews to reconnect to the whole of their lineage following the devastation of WWII and the subsequent communist era," McLaughlin said. "The young protagonist's struggle to discover his authentic voice while trying to understand the behaviors of his European cousin provides a powerful window into the ongoing struggle to connect past and present."

Acclaimed director Leslie Swackhamer (My Mañana Comes, Marie Antoinette, Straight White Men), is joined by a powerhouse cast including Christine McMurdo-Wallis (Four Places, The Man from Nebraska), Steve Irish (In the Next Room...Or, the Vibrator Play), and Nik Crawford, who makes his Stages debut as David.
"Theatre is one of the most collaborative of all art forms, requiring the combined imaginations of a director, designers, performers, technicians and many others to bring each play to life. We're thrilled to have the opportunity to take these efforts to an even higher level by partnering with Stages Repertory Theatre in bringing The Revisionist to Houston's audiences," said Steve Garfinkel, theatre coordinator at the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC. "When two powerful creative forces pool their resources to bring such a singular production to realization, the results can be truly extraordinary, as audiences who experience The Revisionist will discover."

Playwright Jesse Eisenberg, who most notably portrayed Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg in the motion picture The Social Network, for which he received his Academy Award nomination, was inspired to write The Revisionist after visiting his second cousin, a Holocaust survivor, in Poland while filming 2007's The Hunting Party. In a 2016 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Eisenberg notes that the character of David is based on this personal and enlightening encounter, saying "This woman who had suffered so much and was choosing to celebrate her family and celebrate her life - it provided me with not only an existential crisis, but also a feeling that I could possibly change the way I kind of choose to make meaning out of my own experience."

All performances take place at the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center5601 S. Braeswood, Houston, TX 77096. Performance times are Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursdays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 2:30pm and 8:00pm, and Sundays at 2:30pm. Regular tickets start at $25 with savings for groups of 6 or more on Saturday matinees, or groups of 10 or more on Saturday evening and Sunday matinee. To purchase, call the Stages Box Office at 713.527.0123 or reserve online at www.stagestheatre.com.

Founded in 1978, Stages is a professional Equity theatre that produces new work, presents established work in new ways, nurtures and develops talent, and cultivates and strengthens relationships with Houston audiences. Characterized by courage, generosity, ingenuity and intimacy, Stages works to advance theatre and enliven community to make a more vibrant Houston.

Stages presents a broad scope of plays and musicals in an intimate setting, generating critical acclaim and creating powerful connections between plays and people. The third-largest theatre in Houston and the largest outside the downtown theatre district, Stages performs year-round, one of only a handful of Texas theatres that offers continual employment for creative professionals. On average, Stages produces 12 productions per year totaling more than 375 performances and welcoming 65,000+ visitors. Almost all of Stages' shows are rehearsed and constructed on-site in Houston, brought to life by an exceptional community of locally-based artists and craftspeople along with occasional guest directors, actors and designers from around the world.

For more than a decade Stages has made a strong investment in nurturing emerging artists and craftspeople who have now become field leaders and working professionals. Stages' learning opportunities include performance and production internship programs for college students and conservatory-style training for middle and high school students.

Through this robust scope of activities Stages encourages conversation about important ideas, provides insight into other cultures and viewpoints, and helps develop each new generation of artists, audiences and citizens. For more information visit www.stagestheatre.com.

ABOUT THE EVELYN RUBENSTEIN Jewish Community Center

When you step into the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC, you'll find a center filled with remarkable people, dedicated volunteers and a wide-array of year-round programs, activities and special events. At the J, we're committed to enriching the lives of our members and the community.

Since 1936 the J has been a place where families and individuals come together for friendship, affiliation and socialization in a safe and welcoming environment. Throughout our buildings, you'll find a committed staff working together to provide our members and guests with quality experiences, excellent service and a sense of belonging.

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