San Diego Professional Premiere AMERICAN HERO Comes to New Village Arts

New Village Arts announces the second play of its seventeenth season, American Hero, the provocative new comedy by Bess Wohl.

American Hero takes place at a newly-franchised sub shop at the local mall in a run-down American suburb. There, three down-on-their-luck "sandwich artists"-a teenager, a single mom and a downsized corporate banker-are perfecting the mustard-to-cheese ratio according to the company manual, when their shot at the American dream is interrupted by a series of peculiar events. To keep their minimum-wage jobs, they must become unlikely allies in a post-recession world; even as corporate America gives up on them, they band together to prove that heroes aren't born, they're made... fresh to order on your choice of bread.

As we find ourselves in an increasingly divided world, each production in NVA's seventeenth season aims to explore the things that bring people together. American Hero is a darkly comic celebration of the power of teamwork and unity to overcome adversity. American Hero is directed by Kristianne Kurner, NVA's Executive Artistic Director. Kurner's previous directing credits at NVA include Awake & Sing!, Sylvia, The Weir, The Trip to Bountiful, and many more. Kurner will be joined by Jonathan Hammond as Assistant Director.

American Hero features a cast of new and familiar faces. Wendy Waddell (Jamie) is appearing in her fourth NVA production with American Hero. Waddell is a San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Craig Noel Award nominee whose work has been seen at The Welk Theatre, San Diego Musical Theatre, ion theatre, and Intrepid. Dallas McLaughlin stars as Ted, the downsized corporate banker. McLaughlin, an Emmy award-winning television writer and winner of San Diego's Funniest Person (2015/16), was most recently seen at NVA in Stage Kiss. Waddell and McLaughlin are joined by NVA newcomer Cecilia Harchegani as Sheri. Harchegani is a student at Coronado School for the Arts, and she recently placed in the top three at the National Shakespeare Competition. Kamel Haddad also makes his NVA debut as a bevy of characters. Haddad is a seasoned acting veteran, having appeared on stage throughout California as well as on screen in West Wing, ER, The Unit, and Newsroom.

American Hero also features a number of familiar designers and production crew: Melanie Chen Cole (Sound Designer), Kristen Flores (Scenic Designer), Nadia Guevara (Choreographer), Cassie Langan (Properties Designer), AJ Paulin (Lighting Designer), Kymberli Skye (Stage Manager), and Shaun Tuazon (Costume Designer).

For more information visit www.newvillagearts.org.

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