Playwrights Horizons Kicks Off LIVEforFIVE Lottery for THE PROFANE

Playwrights Horizons is now accepting entries today, Monday, March 6, for the LIVEforFIVE online lottery for $5 tickets to their world premiere production of The Profane, a new play by Zayd Dohrn (Outside People, Reborning). Directed by Kip Fagan (Grand Concourse at Playwrights, Exit Strategy, The Revisionist, Asuncion), The Profane will be the fifth production of the theater company's 2016/2017 Season.

The LIVEforFIVE lottery for The Profane will be for tickets to the first preview on Friday evening, March 17 at 7:30 PM at Playwrights Horizons' Peter Jay Sharp Theater (416 West 42nd Street). The production has an Opening Night set for Sunday, April 9 at 7PM and will play a limited engagement through Sunday, April 30.

Celebrating 10 years, LIVEforFIVE was created by Playwrights Horizons in 2007 as part of their Arts Access program to reach out to those who may not be able to afford the cost of a full-price theater ticket. The ticketing initiative makes a limited number of $5 tickets available for the first preview performance of each Playwrights Horizons production through a lottery via the company's website (www.phnyc.org). In the past decade, over 2,000 theatergoers have been able to attend the theater thanks to the LIVEforFIVE initiative.

Details for the LIVEforFIVE lottery are as follows: beginning today, Monday, March 6, theatergoers can enter the lottery by filling out an entry form at www.phnyc.org/L45. Entries will be accepted until Thursday, March 9 at 12 Noon. Winners of the lottery will be notified via email no later than 3PM on Thursday, March 9 with instructions on how to book their $5 tickets. Unclaimed tickets will be offered via email to a limited standby list starting at 12 Noon on Friday, March 10 on a first-come, first-served basis. One or two tickets may be purchased by winners for $5 each.

The cast of The Profane features Tala Ashe (Troilus and Cressida, The Who & the What, Urge for Going), Francis Benhamou(I Call My Brothers, Invasion!, "Inside Amy Schumer"), Ramsey Faragallah (The School for Scandal, Betrayed, "Homeland"), Ali Reza Farahnakian (Homebody/Kabul, "Delocated," "30 Rock"), Lanna Joffrey (Richard III: Born with Teeth, Sad and Merry Sadness, Mark Rylance's Sonnet Walks), Heather Raffo (Nine Parts of Desire, Palace of the End, Food and Fadwa) and Babak Tafti(Small Mouth Sounds, North Pool, "Orange Is the New Black").

Safe in the liberal fortress of Manhattan, Raif Almedin (Mr. Farahnakian) is a first-generation immigrant who prides himself on his modern, enlightened views. But when his daughter (Ms. Ashe) falls for the son (Mr. Tafti) of a conservative Muslim family in White Plains, he discovers the threshold of his tolerance. In Zayd Dohrn's sharp and timely tale, two families are forced to confront each other's religious beliefs and cultural traditions, and to face their own deep-seated prejudice.

The production features scenic design by Takeshi Kata, costume design by Jessica Pabst, lighting design by Matt Frey and sound design by Brandon Wolcott. Production Stage Manager is Shane Schnetzler.

Also reflecting Playwrights Horizons' ongoing commitment to making its productions more affordable to younger audiences, the theater company will offer HOTtix, $30 rush tickets, subject to availability, day of performance only, starting one hour before showtime, to patrons aged 30 and under. Proof of age required. One ticket per person, per purchase. Cash only.

LIVEforFIVE and HOTtix are two of Playwrights Horizons' popular Arts Access initiatives, which allow the institution to reach out to those who may not be able to afford the cost of a full-price theater ticket. This program is supported, in part, by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, McGraw Hill Financial and an anonymous Individual Donor.

Currently in previews on the Playwrights Horizons Mainstage Theater is THE LIGHT YEARS, the world premiere of a new play written by Drama Desk Award winner Hannah Bos and Obie Award winner Paul Thureen, directed and developed by Obie Award winner Oliver Butler, made by The Debate Society (opening March 13). Following THE LIGHT YEARS and The Profane, the season will conclude with BELLA: AN AMERICAN TALL TALE, the co-world premiere of a new musical with book, music and lyrics by Obie Award winner Kirsten Childs, directed by two-time Obie Award winner Robert O'Hara and commissioned by Playwrights Horizons through the Musicals in Partnership Initiative with funds provided by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation (previews begin May 19).

Playwrights Horizons recently announced its 2017/2018 Season, which will feature (in season order): FOR PETER PAN ON HER 70th BIRTHDAY, the New York premiere of a new play by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award nominee Sarah Ruhl, directed by Obie Award winner Les Waters, featuring three-time Obie Award winner Kathleen Chalfant in the title role, David Chandler, Ron Crawford, two-time Obie Award winner Lisa Emery, Tony Award nominee Daniel Jenkins and Keith Reddin(August 2017); THE TREASURER, the world premiere of a Playwrights Horizons commissioned new play by Max Posner, directed by three-time Lortel Award winner David Cromer (September 2017); MANKIND, the world premiere of a Playwrights Horizons commissioned new play written and directed by two-time Obie Award winner Robert O'Hara (December 2017); THIS FLAT EARTH, the world premiere of a new play by Lindsey Ferrentino, directed by Rebecca Taichman (March 2018); DANCE NATION, the world premiere of a new play by Obie Award winner Clare Barron, directed by Obie Award winner Lee Sunday Evans(April 2018); and LOG CABIN, the world premiere of a new play by Pulitzer Prize finalist JorDan Harrison, directed by Tony Award and Obie Award winner Pam Mackinnon (June 2018).

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Zayd Dohrn (Playwright). Playwrights Horizons debut. His plays include Outside People (The Vineyard/Naked Angels), Want (Steppenwolf First Look), Sick (Berkshire Theatre Festival/National New Play Network) and Reborning (The Public/SPF). Zayd received a Horton Foote Prize, Lincoln Center's Lecomte du Nouy Prize, the Kennedy Center's Jean Kennedy Smith Award, the Sky Cooper American Playwriting Prize and Theatre Master's Visionary Playwrights Award, and was an Artist in Residence at New York Stage & Film, the Orchard Project, the Chautauqua Institute, Stella Adler Studios and Theatre for One. He received his MFA from NYU, was a Lila Acheson Wallace Fellow at Juilliard, and currently teaches playwriting and screenwriting at Northwestern University. www.zayddohrn.com.

Kip Fagan (Director). NYC: Jenny Rachel Weiner's Kingdom Come (Roundabout Underground); Ike Holter's Exit Strategy (Primary Stages); Heidi Schreck's Grand Concourse (Playwrights Horizons); Jesse Eisenberg's The Revisionist and Asuncion, Halley Feiffer's How to Make Friends and Then Kill Them, Heidi Schreck's There Are No More Big Secrets, Sheila Callaghan's That Pretty Pretty; or, The Rape Play (Rattlestick); Ariel Stess's The World My Mama Raised and I'm Pretty F**ked Up, Sheila Callaghan's Roadkill Confidential, Rachel Hoeffel's Quail (Clubbed Thumb); Carlos Murillo's A Thick Description of Harry Smith, Sam Hunter's Jack's Precious Moment (P73); Reggie Watts and Tommy Smith's Radio Play (PS 122). Regional: Alliance, Long Wharf, Woolly Mammoth, Williamstown, Humana, George Street Playhouse, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Portland Center Stage, Marin Theatre Company, City Theatre. Taught and/or directed at Juilliard, NYU, SUNY Purchase, National Theatre Institute and Strasberg Center. NEA/TCG directing fellow, Clubbed Thumb affiliated artist, co-founder of Printer's Devil in Seattle.

Tala Ashe (Emina). Playwrights Horizons debut. Off-Broadway: Troilus and Cressida, The Who & the What, Urge for Going. Regional: Head Over Heels, Troilus and Cressida, Merry Wives of Windsor, Welcome to Arroyo's, Love's Labour's Lost. Film: Circumstance, Waiting in Beijing. TV: "American Odyssey," "Smash," "Law & Order: CI," "30 Rock," "Covert Affairs."

Francis Benhamou (Aisa/Dania). Playwrights Horizons debut. Off-Broadway: I Call My Brothers, Invasion!, Three Women. Other New York Theater: Raja, I Would Have That Night, 4AM: Redmond and Meda (also on film), Motel Cherry, Bouncing Back. Film:Arranged, Women Who Kill, Listen Up Phillip, Big Words, I'm Not Me, My Last Day Without You, Breaking Upwards, Neal Cassady. TV: "Inside Amy Schumer," "The Bronx Is Burning."

Ramsey Faragallah (Peter). Playwrights Horizons debut. Off-Broadway: The School for Scandal, Much Ado About Nothing, Urge for Going, Betrayed, After-Play. Other New York Theater: New York Animals, Guantanamo, O.P.C. London: Aftermath. Film: Michael Clayton, Curse of the Jade Scorpion, Small Time Crooks, Celebrity. TV: "Falling Water," "Unforgettable," "Madame Secretary," "The Black List," "Homeland," "State of Affairs," "The Good Wife."

Ali Reza Farahnakian (Raif). Playwrights Horizons debut. New York: Homebody/Kabul (also Steppenwolf), The 24 Hour Plays. Regional: Revelation Will Not Be Televised, All My Sons, Word of Mouth, Asssscat. Film: The Bourne Legacy, American Gangster, Arthur. TV: "Delocated," "Louie," "30 Rock," "Nurse Jackie," Dr. Rohit Mehta on "Law & Order" and "Law & Order: SVU," "The Jury," "Third Watch," "Conan O'Brien." Writing: "Saturday Night Live," VH1.

Lanna Joffrey (Carmen). Playwrights Horizons debut. Off-Broadway: Measure for Measure, Sad and Merry Madness, Richard III: Born with Teeth. Other New York Theater: Valiant (NY International Fringe Festival Award), Cellophane, Like I Say, Talk Like Rain. London/UK: Timon of Athens, Mark Rylance's Sonnet Walks, Muse of Fire. Regional: 1001 (Ovation Award), Nine Parts of Desire(IRNE Award), Inspector General (Ovation nom.), Beauty Queen of Leenane.

Heather Raffo (Naja). Playwrights Horizons debut. Author/Performer: Nine Parts of Desire (Lortel Award; Blackburn Prize Commendation; Seldes-Kanin Fellowship; Drama League, OCC and Helen Hayes noms.; also London, national and international tours). Other Off-Broadway: Food and Fadwa, Palace of the End (Drama League nom.), In Darfur, Over the River an Through the Woods. London: Seven (also NYC). Regional: French Lieutenant's Woman. Film: Vino Veritas.

Babak Tafti (Sam). Playwrights Horizons debut. Off-Broadway: Small Mouth Sounds, North Pool, Urge for Going. Regional: Guards at the Taj, The Winter's Tale, The Arabian Nights, O.P.C., Blood and Gifts, Scorched, Happy Now, Romeo and Juliet, Servant of Two Masters. Film: Terminator Salvation, In the Valley of Elah, $5 a Day. TV: "Orange Is the New Black," "Nurse Jackie," "Blue Bloods," "Crash."

Playwrights Horizons is dedicated to cultivating the most important American Playwrights, composers and lyricists, as well as developing and producing their bold new plays and musicals. Under Artistic Director Tim Sanford and Managing Director Leslie Marcus, Playwrights builds upon its diverse and renowned body of work, counting 400 writers among its artistic roster. In addition to its onstage work each season, Playwrights' singular commitment to nurturing American theater artists guides all of the institution's multifaceted initiatives: our acclaimed New Works Lab, a robust commissioning program, an innovative curriculum at its Theater School and more. Playwrights has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including six Pulitzer Prizes, 13 Tony Awards and 39 Obie Awards. Prior artistic directors include André Bishop and Don Scardino. Robert Moss founded Playwrights Horizons in 1971 and oversaw its first decade, cementing the mission that continues to guide the institution today.

Notable productions include six Pulitzer Prize winners - Annie Baker's The Flick (2013 Obie Award, 2013 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize), Bruce Norris's Clybourne Park (2012 Tony Award, Best Play), Doug Wright's I Am My Own Wife (2004 Tony Award, Best Play), Wendy Wasserstein's The Heidi Chronicles (1989 Tony Award, Best Play), Alfred Uhry's Driving Miss Daisy and Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Sunday in the Park with George - as well as Ms. Baker's Circle Mirror Transformation (three 2010 Obie Awards including Best New American Play); Lisa D'Amour's Detroit (2013 Obie Award, Best New American Play); Samuel D. Hunter's The Whale (2013 Lortel Award, Best Play); Kirsten Greenidge's Milk Like Sugar (2012 Obie Award); JorDan Harrison's Marjorie Prime (2015 Pulitzer finalist); Lucas Hnath's The Christians (2016 Obie Award, 2016 Outer Critics Circle Award, 2015 Kesselring Prize); Robert O'Hara's Bootycandy (two 2015 Obie Awards); Adam Bock's A Life and A Small Fire; Taylor Mac's Hir; Danai Gurira's Familiar; Anne Washburn's Mr. Burns, a post-electric play; Sarah Ruhl's Stage Kiss and Dead Man's Cell Phone; Gina Gionfriddo's Rapture, Blister, Burn; Dan LeFranc's The Big Meal; Amy Herzog's The Great God Pan and After the Revolution; Bathsheba Doran's Kin; Edward Albee's Me, Myself & I; Melissa James Gibson's This (2010 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize finalist); Doug Wright, Scott Frankel and Michael Korie's Grey Gardens (three 2007 Tony Awards); Craig Lucas's Prayer For My Enemy and Small Tragedy (2004 Obie Award, Best American Play); Adam Rapp's Kindness; Lynn Nottage's Fabulation (2005 Obie Award for Playwriting); Kenneth Lonergan's Lobby Hero; David Greenspan's She Stoops to Comedy (2003 Obie Award); Kirsten Childs's The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin (2000 Obie Award); Richard Nelson and Shaun Davey's James Joyce's The Dead (2000 Tony Award, Best Book); Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman's Assassins; William Finn's March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland; Christopher Durang's Betty's Summer Vacation and Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You; Richard Nelson's Goodnight Children Everywhere; Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's Once on This Island; Jon Robin Baitz's The Substance of Fire; Scott McPherson's Marvin's Room; A.R. Gurney's Later Life; Adam Guettel and Tina Landau's Floyd Collins; and Jeanine Tesori and Brian Crawley's Violet.