DEATH IN MOZAMBIQUE Opens At The Cherry Pit 7/16, Runs Thru 7/26

"Death in Mozambique" is a new, two-act drama opening on July 16th at the Cherry Pit, Cherry Lane Theatre's newest stage. This play is an Equity-Approved Showcase.

"Death in Mozambique" presents a unique storyline set in a land rarely seen on stage in America. But the play hasn't just gotten attention for being different. This play directly pulls its audience into the piece. From the beginning, viewers are seated as though they are actually in the play's primary set - a bar called "Freedom." Characters then enter and exit out of or into the audience. All around, this play offers a unique theatrical experience.

Set against the Mozambican Civil War, six characters try to escape the sins of their pasts on October 4, 1992 - a day which should have represented the beginning of a new peace in Mozambique. American expatriate JOACHIM, owner of the bar "Freedom," and his Mozambican lover GRAÇA, defend their bastion of optimism against the encroaching forces of greed and vengeance. Though this fight is not bloodless one, "Death in Mozambique" demonstrates that even under the direst of circumstances, in the most foreign of lands, hope can always prevail.

Peace. Unity. Brotherhood. These are all words American expatriate JOACHIM thinks apply to Mozambique on October 4, 1992. The Rome Peace Accords have been signed. Newspapers are announcing the end of the 16-year Mozambican Civil War. So why can JOACHIM and his native Mozambican lover GRAÇA still hear gunfire from their lonely bar called "Freedom" in Beira, Mozambique?

Because, as they both will learn, change does not come so easily. A letter that references an earlier brutal crime immediately threatens the bar. GRAÇA, after years of witnessing constant brutality, quickly convicts a native Mozambican MAN of this offense. But, with his old American friend TIM coming by later in the day, and his two Russian Air Force regulars PYTOR and VLAD on-hand, this threat does not faze JOACHIM.

In the comforts of his perceived haven, JOACHIM and GRAÇA are both forced to confront - in some cases violently - past sins they have done everything to escape. Redemption can be found, but at what cost? By the end of the play, GRAÇA learns that, while brutality devastates, rebirth is always possible.

Starring Matthew Murumba, Dan Pelonis, Namakula, Jan Di Pietro, Jean Neftin, and Alex Ferrill*. This is an Equity-approved showcase. *Denotes AEA Membership.

Produced by Jonathan Alexandratos and Cry Havoc Films. Directed by Michael Rutenberg. Written by Jonathan Alexandratos. Assistant directed by Corina Rios. Note: This play is solely the production of Jonathan Alexandratos and Cry Havoc Films. It is not a Cherry Lane Production.

"Death in Mozambique" is glad to be at the Cherry Pit, part of the oldest, continuously-running Off-Broadway theatre in New York. The Cherry Pit is formerly the Bank Street Theatre and is located at 155 Bank Street. For further directions, please e-mail: deathinmozambique@gmail.com.

"Death in Mozambique" represents a diverse group of professionals. The cast is a veritable United Nations of theatre. Not only does the play call for two native Mozambicans, two Russians, and two Americans, but the actors portraying our dramatis personae are just as varied. Dan Pelonis is of Greek and Ukrainian descent. Jean Neftin was born in Ukraine. Namakula is Ugandan, along with Matthew Murumba. Jan Di Pietro hails from Australia.

Ticket prices are capped at $18, but for students and seniors that price drops to $10. It is the show's goal to bring together as many people as possible. The message of the play should be reflected in its audience.

Jonathan Alexandratos is a 23-year-old playwright and producer living in New York City. In Sixth Grade, he began writing spoofs of the show "Star Trek" with his friends and, from there, a playwrighting career was born. In High School, Jonathan's play "Fade to Black" was a runner-up in the Young Playwrights Inc. Playwrighting Festival. During his Freshman year at Hunter College, he wrote sketch comedy for Robot vs. Dinosaur Productions. Honing his craft, Jonathan co-founded a playwrights' collaborative called "Playsmiths" and became the secretary of New York's oldest playwrighting group, "Polaris North." Over the past two years, Jonathan has focused on the play presented to you now: "Death in Mozambique." He held interviews, did research, and wrote the piece in this period of time. Jonathan is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild of America.

http://www.cherrylanetheatre.org/

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