COMMITTED Premieres Tonight at Theatre at the 14th Street Y

The Altruistic Theatre Company, an organization dedicated to social change, presents Committed - a fictionalized account of the last two days of the Dutch filmmaker Theo Van Gogh. The play is written by Natalie Menna and directed by Brock Harris Hill.

Van Gogh worked with the Somali-born writer and politician Ayaan Hirsi Ali to produce the short film, Submission (2004), which exposed the treatment of women, and resulted in an outrage from the Dutch Muslim community.

He was murdered in November of 2004.

The play explores the inevitable tragedy when artistic radical temperament collides with religious and political realities. Can friendship, family, or love save Theo from his biggest threat -- himself?"

The cast features Brad J. Fryman, Ivette Dumeng, Francisco Solorzano, and Philip Schneider.

The creative team includes: Lighting design: Benjamin Ehrenreich; Costume design: Ariel Pellman; Sound design: Jacob Subotnick; Assistant director: Anna Hogan; and Stage Manager: Charles Casano.

Produced by the Altruistic Theatre Company in conjunction with the Theatre at the 14th Street Y, 344 E 14th St, New York City, Committed runs: Tonight, September 8 @ 7:30PM; Saturday, September 9 @ 7:30PM; Thursday, September 14 @ 7:30PM; Friday, September 15 @ 7:30PM; Saturday, September 16 @ 7:30PM; Sunday, September 17 @ 5:00PM; Tuesday, September 19 @ 7:30PM; and Saturday, September 23 @ 7:30PM. Run time: 90 Minutes; No Intermission; Tickets: $18 at 14streety.secure.force.com/ticket#details_a0S36000004SimNEAS.

Altruistic Theatre Company creates art that provides a guiding voice, one that is meaningful as well as entertaining. We maintain a nurturing environment for artists, to produce and develop new works of theater. We foster good in our community, not only in discussing social issues but actively working off-stage to promote social change.

Brock H. Hill is a New York-based freelance theater director who is always on the search to find ways to help make change happen through art. Brock is artistic director of the Altruistic Theatre Company and Producing Artistic Director of Planet Connections Theatre Festivity. Altruistic Theater Company works with non-profit organizations to help get its message out. The company also became known for their series of one-act theater festivals, the Bare-Knuckle Theater Festivals. Aside from his own company, Brock strives to work with other artists whenever possible. He has worked extensively with the Tongue-in-Cheek Theater and has directed works in many New York Theater festivals (including Planet Connections). A taste of these productions include: Civilization! By Maximilian Avery Clark in the Planet Connections Theatre Festivity, Choose Your Grown Adventure by Jennifer Fedor and Brock Hill at Theater for a New City's Dream Up Festival, and the world premiere of the Books on Tape by William Missouri Downs at fringeNYC.

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