Almonacid's THE ASSIGNMENT Opens Saturday

Antu Yacob and Rafael Poueriet headline Luna Stage's second play of its 2018-19 MainStage Season, The Assignment by Camilo Almonacid. The play came out of real conversations between perpetrators of gun violence and victims, and explores friendship, loss, and forgiveness. David Winitsky directs The Assignment for a limited two-week engagement, opening Saturday, December 1.

Meet Julian J. Torres, played by Poueriet, an ebullient 37-year old scholarship student who is trying to reframe his life after a troubled youth and time in prison. Helen Payne, played by Antu Yacob, is a brilliant and reserved English professor recovering from tragedy. Wary at first, Dr. Payne is won over the by Julian's intelligence and charisma. The two unlikely friends connect through the power of great literature.

The performances are accompanied by pre- and post-show events exploring gun control, prison re-entry, community activism, and how to have constructive conversations about polarizing issues:

Nov 30: 7pm pre-show screening of documentary film The One That Got Away

Post-show conversation with reentry mentor Boris Franklin

Dec 1: OPENING NIGHT--$59 Premium Tickets (includes after-party!)

Dec 2: Post-show conversation with Elaine Lane, whose story inspired the play

Dec 7: Post-show conversation with Emmy-nominated activist Riaz Patel and Elaine Lane

Dec 8: 7pm pre-show screening of documentary film The One That Got Away

Post-show conversation with teacher Daniel Gill and New York Times journalist Kyle Spencer

The Assignment, a new play by Camilo Almonacid, Directed by David Winitsky

At Luna Stage, 555 Valley Road, West Orange, NJ | 973 395 5551

Performances: Thursday, November 29, Closes Sunday December 9

Schedule: Thursdays, 7:30pm | Fridays & Saturdays, 8pm | Sundays, 3pm

Additional performance Sunday, December 9 at 7pm

Tickets: www.LunaStage.org/TheAssignment

Running time: 90 minutes, no intermission

www.LunaStage.org

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