For Immediate Release
Contact: Liz Lauren, 212.494.0050 • TheJTNY@aol.com • www.JewishTheater.org
The Jewish Theater of New York proudly presents "SAIDA: A Tunisian Love Story"
As the Middle East rages with revolution which began in Tunisia late last year, Palestinian leaders look to complete a plan hatched in that country decades ago, when Tunisia was the only country that offered a safe haven to exiled PLO leaders of the time. Helped by the current international attention to the changing Middle East and encouraged by the western world's desire to see an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the present Palestinian leaders prepare to seek UN recognition of a Palestinian state in September 2011. Will a process, which originated months ago in Tunisia, aid to close a chapter that started decades ago in that same country?
"SAIDA: A Tunisian Love Story" attempts to tackle this very issue, and the larger "Arab Spring," in a unique theatricality. Abu Ali, the 69-year-old leader of the Palestinian Secret Service, returns to Tunisia to declare his true love for that country's most beautiful lady, Saida. Trailing steps behind him is young Juda, the leader of the Israeli Secret Service, who shows up at Saida’s doorstep swearing his eternal love to her. Will Saida’s father, the Tunisian Ibn Kabir, allow his 19-year-old daughter to marry the young Jew or will he insist that she marry a 69-year-old Arab? Will Saida obey her father or will she follow her own dreams? Just as importantly: Do either of these Secret Service Agents really love Saida, or is this just a fight for honor?
SAIDA, a parable of the Holy Land in an image of a woman, is a Commedia dell'arte, Middle Eastern style, written in Tunisia by dramatist and journalist Tuvia Tenenbom, who also directs.
Written & Directed by: Tuvia Tenenbom. Asst. Director/PSM: Stefania Schramm.
Performers: Anita Clay, Jeffrey Coyne, Sergey Nagorny, Adam Shiri, Robert Tekavec.
Set: Mark Symczak • Costume: Elgie C. Johnson • General Manager: Isi Tenenbom.
Location: The Kraine Theater, 85 E 4th Street, NYC.
Performance Schedule: Sun at 3:00, Mon at 8:00.
Reservations: 212.352.3101 or www.TheaterMania.com.
Price: Priority Seating $49.00, regular $36.00. BENEFIT cardholders: $3.00 at the door.
# # #
www.JewishTheater.org
