Luna Stage Announces Female-Led Cast, Creative Team for ROAN @ THE GATES

Aaliyah Habeeb and Mel House will star in Christina Gorman's cyber-security romance Roan @ The Gates, directed by Michelle Tattenbaum at Luna Stage. This World Premiere features an all-female cast and female-led creative team. It starts previews January 31 and opens February 2 for a limited run through February 24.

Set in Washington D.C. and Russia, Roan @ The Gates explores what happens when personal lives collide with national security. House plays the role of Roan, a data analyst for the NSA, and Habeeb is Roan's wife, Nat, a lawyer committed to human rights advocacy. The play has been described as "a beautiful and high-stakes adventure that illuminates the cost of secrecy."

Director Tattenbaum and playwright Gorman spoke recently about Gorman's choice to create an all-female storyline set in the often male-dominated world of cyber-security. One of Gorman's inspirations for Roan @ The Gates was a shadowy photograph of Edward Snowden with his girlfriend, which sparked her interest in the human cost of whistleblowing. However, she says, "I immediately thought, 'I really don't want to write another male protagonist.' I consciously chose to write these staggering, intelligent, strong, messy, center-stage roles for two women."

Tattenbaum is excited about the world Gorman has created. "Christina has written a beautiful play about two womxn who are trying to make their voices heard in a world that would rather not listen," she says.

Habeeb, House, Gorman, and Tattenbaum are joined by female-identifying designers (Marika Kent, Light Design; Deborah Caney, Costume Design; Megan Culley, Sound Design) "I feel so lucky to be working with a group of such talented womxn to be bringing their story to life on stage," says Tattenbaum, who assembled the team. Justin and Christopher Swader, who designed Pirira at Luna Stage in October, are designing the set.

Luna Stage, where the play will premiere, also features an all-female leadership team. Artistic Director Ari Laura Kreith, who choseRoan @ The Gates as part of her first season, came to Luna in February 2018 and took the helm of the company in July. She is joined by new Managing Director Miriam Gardin, who joined Luna in July 2018, and Production Manager Liz Cesario, who came on board in August.

"It seems bizarre that it's still true, but women remain underrepresented in all aspects of theatre: actors, directors, designers, writers, etc.," says Gorman. "I want productions of my plays to balance that, both onstage and behind the scenes. Luna's commitment to that is one of the reasons I'm thrilled to be part of the season."

Tickets are $16-39, and are available at LunaStage.org/Roan or by calling 973 395 5551. A limited number of premium Opening Night tickets are available for $59, including the post-show party with cast and creative team.

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