Photo Coverage: 'Betrayed' Opening Night Arrivals

The world premiere of George Packer's new play Betrayed, officially opened Wednesday, February 6 at 7PM, after beginning performances on Friday, January 25 at Culture Project's SoHo theater (55 Mercer Street). Pippin Parker directs. Guests at the opening night included Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker, Peter Hermann, Jesse L. Martin and Mariska Hargitay.

The cast of Betrayed includes Jeremy Beck, Aadya Bedi, Mike Doyle, Ramsey Faragallah, Sevan Greene and Waleed F. Zuaiter.

The design team is comprised of Garin Marschall (Set and Lighting), Eric Shim (Sound) and Rabiah Troncellitti (Costumes).

"In early 2007, journalist Packer published an article in The New Yorker about the desperate situation of the Iraqis who had risked their lives to help the American effort in their country and were being hunted down as a result, with little or no U.S. protection.  The article helped draw national attention to a humanitarian crisis and a moral scandal. Betrayed, Packer's first play, based on his interviews in Iraq and other countries, tells the story of three young Iraqis - two men and a woman - who are motivated by hope to go work for the Americans, until they begin to wonder who, if anyone, can be trusted.  Betrayed explores the complex relationships among the Iraqis, and between them and their American supervisor, against the backdrop of a war in which the hardest and most necessary thing turns out to be friendship," explain press notes.

Performances are Monday at 8 p.m., Wednesday – Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.  Tickets are priced at $25 - $60 and available at 212-352-3101 or visit www.cultureproject.org.  Culture Project is located at 55 Mercer Street (at Broome) in the heart of SoHo.

Photos by Walter McBride / Retna Ltd