World Premiere of Robert Ford's 'Look Away' Begins Friday

Robert Ford's Look Away, a suspenseful true-life drama set in Wilson, Arkansas, in 1933, will begin its world premiere at TheatreSquared next week. Based on true events, Look Away opens on a late summer night with the shouts of a mob on the trail of two young black men. Alonzo and Matty, exhausted and terrified, find a door unlocked and slip inside the kitchen of the powerful Wilson family - but soon find they are not alone. Staged by acclaimed director Benny Sato Ambush, the production features Thomas Brazzle, Rebecca Harris, Erik Parillo, Daniel Kyri, and Justin Walker. Performances are scheduled January 29 through February 22, Thursdays through Sundays, at Walton Arts Center's Nadine Baum Studios (505 W. Spring St., Fayetteville, AR 72701). Tickets range from $15-$40 ($10/Under 30) and are available through Tickets Northwest Arkansas at (479) 443-5600 or online at theatre2.org.

"The stakes are incredibly high in this new drama - an intimate emotional thriller with profound themes, based on true events," said Executive Director Martin Miller. "This is a play about two young men on the most difficult night of their lives. They can't face it alone. But who can they trust?"

Developed over three years at the Arkansas New Play Festival, Look Away is the newest work by playwright and TheatreSquared Artistic Director Robert Ford, winner of the Porter Prize and the 2014 Governor's Arts Award. Its world premiere is directed by Benny Sato Ambush, who is senior distinguished producing director at Emerson College in Boston, has directed for Old Globe Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, South Coast Rep, Magic Theatre, Geva Theatre, Playwrights Horizons, Ford's Theatre, Lincoln Center Theater Institute, and dozens of other major regional theatres.

Look Away is inspired by true events recounted by William "Snake" Toney to University of Arkansas historian Jeannie Whayne, an expert on the history of the 50,000-acre plantation amassed by Robert E. "Lee" Wilson after the Civil War - including, at its peak, four towns, a bank, short-line railroads and more - finally sold by Wilson's descendents in 2010. The story of Alonzo and Matty has never previously been published.

TheatreSquared is offering three free events to meet the cast, playwright and creative team behind Look Away. On January 27 at 6pm at the Fayetteville Public Library, Ozarks at Large host Kyle Kellams will moderate a free public forum at the Fayetteville Public Library for an intimate conversation, including a sneak preview excerpt from the play. Dr. Whayne, director Benny Sato Ambush, and playwright Robert Ford will take part. On Saturday, January 31 at 4pm and 9:30pm, Mr. Ambush and Mr. Ford will lead a talkback with the audience following the day's performances.

The creative team for Look Away includes scenic designer Kent Goetz, lighting designer Weston Wilkerson, costume designer Ruby Kemph, composer Mark Summerlin, sound designer Will Eubanks, properties coordinator Brodie Jasch, and stage manager David Loranca.

The performance will run two hours and is recommended for adult audiences (mature language and themes). Tickets are on sale now at (479) 443-5600 or by visiting theatre2.org. The play is made possible by lead production sponsors Margaret and Dick Rutherford, with additional support from Steve and Linda Nelson.

TheatreSquared's is Northwest Arkansas's only year-round professional theatre, offering an intimate live theatre experience for 30,000 patrons each year in its 175-seat black box space. In 2011, TheatreSquared was recognized by the American Theatre Wing, founder of the Tony Awards, as one of the nation's ten most promising emerging theatres. The company has experienced remarkable growth, expanding its audience tenfold in the past five years, and recently released its Vision 2017 report with its priorities supported by a three-year, $1.03 million grant. For further information, press tickets, or producer tickets, contact TheatreSquared at (479) 445-6333 or visit theatre2.org.

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