RPN Globe LLC and The Culture Project were to present the U.S. debut of the Ivory Coast/French play with English translation by Chantal Bilodeau at the latter venue at 45 Bleecker. Gabriella Maione was slated to direct the run starring Tom Brangle and Thomas Francis Murphy with music by Michael Galasso. (Murphy had replaced the previously announced Patrick Halliday in the two-character play.)

The producers are currently planning a staged reading on the set within the next few weeks. A date for that will be announced shortly.

The work, penned in 1999 following the author's visit to Rwanda, "is a politically energizing play dealing with themes of torture, terrorism and power [that follows] a confrontation between two men — an interrogator and his suspect — and the complex relationship they build," according to show materials.

Kwahulé explains "The play not only reflects dark events but also turns them inside out, probing and challenging our fundamental beliefs on morality, justice and freedom." Big Shoot has been seen on stage in France, Canada, Switzerland and Italy.

The design team features Gabriella Maione (set), Catherine Zuber (costume), Justin Townsend (lighting), Kenta Nagai (sound and additional music). J. David Brimmer served as fight director and Peter R. Feuchtwanger was associate set designer/production supervisor. Yvonne Perez was slated to be production stage manager. For more information, visit www.cultureproject.org.