Almonacid's THE ASSIGNMENT Opens Saturday
By: Stephi Wild Nov. 30, 2018
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
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