JAMAICA FAREWELL Begins Tonight at Soho Playhouse

Soho Playhouse presents the award-winning and critically acclaimed Jamaica Farewell, written and performed by Debra Ehrhardt and directed by Joel Zwick ("My Big Fat Greek Wedding"), with performances beginning tonight, April 27 prior to an official press opening of Sunday, May 4 at Soho Playhouse (15 Vandam Street) in Manhattan.

JAMAICA FAREWELL chronicles Ms. Ehrhardt's escape from revolution-torn Jamaica in the 1970's (with the help of an unwitting CIA Agent) to fulfill her lifelong dream of going to America.

This is Kingston-born Debra Ehrhardt's third play. Previous productions include award-winning MANGO MANGO and INVISIBLE CHAIRS, which was produced by David Strasberg at the Marilyn Monroe theatre in West Hollywood and later optioned as a situation comedy by Fox. She was also a 2007 NYC Fringe festival award-winner and received a 2007 Proclamation from the City of New York for Jamaica Farewell for her outstanding contribution to the Jamaican community. Jamaica Farewell was the final production in the 2010-11 subscription season at Garry Marshall's Falcon theatre in Los Angeles. It was produced in association with Rita Wilson who optioned the rights. A member of the Writer's Guild of America, Ehrhardt is currently adapting Jamaica Farewell for the big screen.

Joel Zwick directed My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time. Recent films include Fat Albert and Elvis Has Left the Building. Mr. Zwick directed the Broadway production of GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE at the Helen Hayes Theatre. He began his theatrical career at La Mama E.T.C., as director of the La Mama Plexus. He has directed on Broadway, Off-Broadway and Broadway touring companies. He and Hershey Felder have collaborated on MONSIEUR CHOPIN, BEETHOVEN AS I KNEW HIM and MAESTRO. Mr. Zwick is recognized as one of Hollywood's most prolific directors of episodic television, having the direction of five hundred and fifty episodes to his credit. He is currently directing 'Shake it Up' for the Disney Channel. Mr. Zwick has taught drama at Yale University, Brooklyn College, Queens College, Wheaton College, USC and has made his home in Hollywood for the past decade.

JAMAICA FAREWELL will be presented Sundays at 6:30pm at Soho Playhouse (15 Vandam Street) in Manhattan. Tickets for Jamaica Farewell are $35 and can be purchased by calling 212-691-1555, by visiting www.sohoplayhouse.com or by visiting the Soho Playhouse Box Office (open Tuesday - Saturday 12:00pm to 8:00pm).