Eagle Theatre Opens NATIVE GARDENS

On Friday, March 22nd, 2019, Eagle Theatre opens a new play by Mexican-American playwright Karen Zacarías, that pushes the boundaries and shatters biases one laugh at a time. This flower-flinging romp, running till April 14th, 2019, explores what happens when cultures clash and neighbors get nasty.

Producing Artistic Director Ted Wioncek III shares, "A comedy, such as this, is rare. The banter is charged, the humor is plentiful, and the complexity of deeply rooted social issues are swiftly skated upon, without ever bruising the fragile ice. All four of its central characters are good hearted people, friendly and likeable. However, trapped by their own cultural misconceptions and shortsighted stereotypes of others. Regardless of who's side of the fence you're on, through the majesty of Zacarias' wordplay, we invite the audiences to laugh, learn, and grow."

Chockfull of pep and poignancy, Native Gardens, rips down fences, turning well-intentioned neighbors into feuding enemies. Pablo, a rising attorney, and doctoral candidate Tania, his very pregnant wife, have just purchased a home in a historic neighborhood next to Frank and Virginia, a well-established D.C. couple with a prize-worthy English garden. But a disagreement over the property line that separates their backyards soon spirals into an all-out war of taste, class, and gardening.

Marianne Green, who plays the role of Virginia, shares, "I- love this play - very timely and topical now. I love that she mixes breaking down ethnic, culture, age differences with "nurturing" a garden. I also love that is has a teaching and sweet message."

Born in Mexico, Karen Zacarias resides in Washington D.C. where she is the first playwright-in-residence at Arena Stage. She is also the founder of Young Playwrights' Theater, an award-winning theater company that teaches playwriting in local public schools in Washington, DC. YPT won the 2010 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award from the White House as one of the most innovative arts programs in the nation.

Ed Corsi, Director of Native Gardens, claims, "Native Gardens achieves what good theatre sets out to do, entertain and enlighten. I think audiences will be delighted by just how much they will be able to relate with each and every character. You cannot help but laugh!"

Zacarias has also received a bevy of awards throughout her career, including; New Voices Award, 2010 Steinberg Citation-Best New Play, Paul Aneillo Award, National Francesca Primus Prize, New Voices Award, National Latino Play Award, Finalist Susan Blackburn, and Helen Hayes for Outstanding New Play.

Robyn Unger, who plays the role of Tania, concludes, "My neighbor history has been pretty smooth lately. I feel like living in an apartment changes things a bit, and prevents some conflict. Having a yard brings people more face to face. As a Mexican American, I'm thrilled to be working on a play by a Mexican American playwright!"

Native Gardens opens March 22nd and runs through April 14th. For more information, please visit www.eagletheatre.org or call 609-704-5012.

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