The New York premiere of Danai Gurira's play, about a group of women being held captive in Liberia, is helmed by Liesl Tommy and stars Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o ("12 Years a Slave"). The powerful Off-Broadway production has been extended twice and is now scheduled to run through Nov. 29.
The Broadway engagement is set to begin performances at the Golden Theatre Feb. 23, 2016, with an official opening March 6. Tickets go on sale to the general public 10 AM Nov. 2 via Telecharge (212) 239-6200. For more information visit EclipsedBroadway.com.
Beginning Nov. 3, the complete cast of Eclipsed Off-Broadway will feature Pascale Armand (Bessie), Akosua Busia (Rita), Zainab Jah (Maima), Nyong’o (Girl) and Sargeant, who will reprise the role of Helena after having been in the McCarter Theatre (workshop) and Yale Rep productions. Her Off-Broadway credits include Our Lady of Kibeho and Big Love.
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The "vitally important" play is a story of survival and resilience set in post-colonial Africa. "A feminist reading of the Liberian Civil War, a war that was ended by women, Eclipsed is both heart-breaking and profoundly life-affirming," commented The Public's artistic director Oskar Eustis in an earlier press statement. Here's how the theatre describes Gurira's play: "Amid the chaos of the Liberian Civil War, the captive wives of a rebel officer band together to form a fragile community – until the balance of their lives is upset by the arrival of a new girl. Drawing on reserves of wit and compassion, Eclipsed reveals distinct women who must discover their own means of survival in this deeply felt portrait of women finding and testing their own strength in a hostile world of horrors not of their own making."
Eclipsed features scenic and costume design by Clint Ramos; lighting design by Jen Schriever; original music and sound design by Broken Chord; hair, wig and makeup design by Cookie Jordan; and voice and dialect by Beth McGuire.
Beginning Nov. 17-Nov. 29, a limited number of $20 tickets will be available via lottery in The Public Theater lobby. Lottery entries begin at 5:30 PM for 8 PM shows and 11:30 AM for 2 PM shows. Winners will be drawn 30 minutes later. Lottery tickets are cash only, with a limit of two tickets per person. Public Theater Member and limited single tickets, starting at $90, can be accessed now by calling (212) 967-7555, PublicTheater.org, or in person at the Taub Box Office at The Public Theater at Astor Place at 425 Lafayette St.
