The Rep to Present DISGRACED

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar, directed by Seth Gordon. This incendiary tale of belief and identity in America runs February 10 - March 6 on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts. Curtain times are Tuesdays at 7 pm; Wednesdays-Fridays at 8 pm; select Wednesday matinees at 1:30 pm; Saturday matinees at 4 pm; select Saturday nights at 8 pm; Sunday matinees at 2 pm; and select Sunday evenings at 7 pm.

Successful corporate lawyer Amir Kapoor comes from a Pakistani family, but he long ago distanced himself from his roots to embrace life as a slick New Yorker. On course to become a partner at his law firm, Amir's carefully constructed world begins to unravel when unexpected events cause him to question his own beliefs. Raw, turbulent and unsettling, this smart drama reveals hidden attitudes toward modern culture and faith.

The play is the winner of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

This production of Disgraced continues The Rep's artistic relationship with playwright Ayad Akhtar. In spring 2012, just as Disgraced was just beginning to take off during its original run in Chicago, The Rep premiered Akhtar's The Invisible Hand as part of its Studio Theatre series. Akhtar will return to St. Louis to see Disgraced during its opening weekend.

Akhtar will participate in a panel discussion at 7:30 p.m. Monday, February 15 at the Loretto-Hilton: "Public Perceptions of Islam in Post-9/11 America." Joining him will be Faizan Syed, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations - St. Louis, as well as Dr. Ghazala Hayat, former chairperson of the Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis. Gordon will moderate the panel, which is free and open to the public.

On the stage, The Rep welcomes back John Pasha (Private Lives, 2002) as Amir. Leigh Williams (A Kid Like Jake, 2014) plays Amir's wife Emily, an up-and-coming artist who draws inspiration from Islamic culture. Jonathan C. Kaplan plays Emily's art dealer Isaac, while Rachel Christopher portrays Isaac's husband (and Amir's work colleague) Jory. Fahim Hamid rounds out the cast as Amir's highly acculturated nephew Abe.

Led by Gordon, the creative staff includes scenic designer Kevin Depinet, costume designer Dottie Marshall Englis, lighting designer Ann Wrightson, sound designer Rusty Wandall and stage manager Emilee Buchheit.

Tickets for Disgraced start at $17.50. To purchase, visit The Rep Box Office, located inside the Loretto-Hilton Center, charge by phone by calling (314) 968-4925 or visit The Rep's Online Box Office at http://www.repstl.org.

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