World Premiere of Lucas' 'Enemy' Opens at Intiman, 8/3

Intiman Theatre, recipient of the 2006 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, continues its 35th season with the world premiere of Prayer for My Enemy, written by Craig Lucas and directed by Artistic Director Bartlett Sher (Awake and Sing!, The Light in the Piazza). Prayer for My Enemy opens at the Intiman Playhouse, 201 Mercer Street at Seattle Center, on Friday, August 3 at 8 pm and runs through Sunday, August 26 at 2 pm. Low-price preview performances are July 27, 28, 29 and 31, and August 1 and 2 (pay-what-you-can). 

Prayer for My Enemy "explores the connection between two long-separated childhood friends, Tad (James McMenamin) and Billy (Daniel Zaitchik), who are unexpectedly reunited as adults the day before Billy leaves for his first tour of duty in Iraq. Tad reconnects not only with Billy, but also with Billy's parents, Austin (John Procaccino) and Karen (Cynthia Lauren Tewes); his sister Marianne (Chelsey Rives); and her autistic son, Tony (Conor Gormally)," as described in press notes.

"The play moves swiftly through time, capturing the new relationships that will connect Billy, Tad and Marianne; the struggle between a father, a Vietnam veteran, and the son who is fighting in Iraq—and an encounter between Austin and a mysterious woman named Dolores (Kimberly King), who will have an impact that shatters the already fragile equilibrium holding everyone together."

"Prayer for My Enemy includes not only conversations between the characters, but also dialogue that captures their psychic interiors and private thoughts. These glimpses into the characters' inner landscapes—sometimes intuited, sometimes unknowable; at times contradictory and at times revelatory—create a portrait of American family and a portrait of America, a wish for grace in a time of turmoil, told through the bravura theatricality of Craig Lucas (The Light in the Piazza, Prelude to a Kiss, The Dying Gaul, Reckless, Small Tragedy, etc.)

The creative team for Prayer for My Enemy includes scenic designer John McDermott, costume designer Catherine Zuber, lighting designer Stephen Strawbridge and sound designer Stephen LeGrand.

Following the Seattle premiere, Prayer for My Enemy will travel to Connecticut's Long Wharf Theatre, where it will run September 12-October 14. The play was originally commissioned by Long Wharf Theatre (Gordon Edelstein, Artistic Director, Joan Channick, Managing Director) with support by the Irving & Susan Laurie Foundation and the Altria Foundation.

Tickets range in price from $10 to $48, with discounts available for students and groups. Patrons aged 25 and under can purchase tickets to any performance for $10, pending availability. A limited number of $20 rush tickets may be available for purchase 15 minutes before curtain time, pending availability. Tickets are available for purchase from www.intiman.org or 206.269.1900. This production is sponsored by The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.

Photo of Craig Lucas by Linda Lenzi

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