Ayvazian Stars in Her Anti-War-Themed Play, Lovely Day, at Pittsburgh City Theatre; Opens Nov. 7 | Playbill

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News Ayvazian Stars in Her Anti-War-Themed Play, Lovely Day, at Pittsburgh City Theatre; Opens Nov. 7 Lovely Day, a new play with passions ripped from the headlines, written by and starring Leslie Ayvazian, gets its world premiere at City Theatre in Pittsburgh Nov. 7, under the direction of artistic director Tracy Brigden.

Previews for the intimate contemporary drama of politics and family began Nov. 1 and performances continue to Dec. 14. The cast also includes Sam Freed and Christopher Schram.

In Lovely Day, "we meet Fran and Martin on their 25th wedding anniversary, along with their 16-year-old son, Brian," according to City Theatre production notes. "Martin is a designer who has just landed a great new job for his company. A former military officer, he is exact and accomplished. Less certain, Fran is a loving wife, mother and teacher, who is still searching. Set against a background of up-to-the-minute news reports, the conflict occurs in Lovely Day when a 'government guy' comes to Brian's school to register students for the military. At this point Fran becomes certain about one thing: Mothers can't send their children to war."

The play was inspired by the weekly vigils for peace that the playwright and others have been keeping in Leonia, NJ, their hometown.

Because of the divided opinions strongly expressed in the play, a talkback will be held after each performance led by moderators from the Thomas Merton Center. The talkbacks will allow audience members to share their own feelings about individual responsibilities for war and peace.

The design team for Lovely Day includes co-set designers Abigail Hart Gray and Tony Ferrieri; costume designer Pei Chi Su; lighting designer Thom Weaver; and sound designer Elizabeth Atkinson. Leslie Ayvazian's plays include the award-winning Nine Armenians. She has performed in several of her own one-person plays, as well as in Richard Greenberg's Jenny Keeps Talking and Neptune's Hips, and in Nicky Silver's Raised in Captivity.

Lovely Day plays the 112-seat Lester Hamburg Studio Theatre. The City Theatre Mainstage is currently offering the world premiere, String of Pearls, to Nov. 9, prior to the start of Cafe Puttanesca. City Theatre is at 1300 Bingham and 13th Street, South Side. Tickets range $28-$38. For information, call (412) 431 CITY or visit www.citytheatrecompany.org.

 
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