FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 15 through December 9, 2007
Media Contact: Lanie Wieland
(765) 720-0485
Lanie@goldenthread.org
COMPLETE CALENDAR LISTINGS FOR SF and LA ON LAST PAGES
Golden Thread Productions Presents
BENEDICTUS
An Ambitious International Collaboration among
Iranian, Israeli and American Artists
Created by Mahmood Karimi-Hakak, Motti Lerner, Roberta Levitow, Daniel
Michaelson and Torange Yeghiazarian
September 29-October 21, 2007
At the Thick House, 1695 18th Street, San Francisco
November 29- December 9, 2007
At The NEW LATC, Theatre 2, 514 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
June 15, 2007 – San Francisco and LA, Golden Thread Productions' 10th Anniversary Season
opens with an ambitious international collaboration, Benedictus, bringing together acclaimed
artists from Iran, Israel and the United States: Motti Lerner, one of Israel's most provocative
contemporary playwrights, Torange Yeghiazarian, Artistic Director of Golden Thread, IranianAmerican director Mahmood Karimi-Hakak of Siena College and American designer Daniel
Michaelson of Bennington College and designer for the acclaimed “Spring Awakening” at the
Public Theatre, and dramaturg Roberta Levitow, founder of Theatre Without Borders. Propelled
by world events and against a backdrop of an imminent US invasion of Iran, two estranged
childhood friends, one Jewish and one Muslim, born in the same town in Iran, agree to a secret
meeting in a Benedictine monastery in Rome to negotiate a price for safety and freedom. The cast
includes renowned Iranian theatre and cinema thespian, Ali Pourtash,* Egyptian born ArabAmerican actor, Al Faris*, most recently seen in “The Unit” at the invitation of its creator,
David Mamet, as well as veteran Bay Area performer, Earll Kingston*. The play runs
September 29th through October 21st at the Thick House in San Francisco. The play will then run
in LA from November 29- December 9, 2007 for the re-opening festival of the LATC. For more
information visit www.goldenthread.org.
"When we began the Iran/Israel/US project two years ago," says Artistic Director Torange
Yeghiazarian, "we didn't imagine how disturbingly timely the subject of US-Iran relations would be
today." Given the impossibility of meeting in Iran and the complexities of meeting in Israel, these
artists are working in the US to create collaborative theatre in the midst of escalating political
conflict amongst their home countries. The piece created offers an opportunity to engage nonviolently and creatively with the historical, social, religious and aesthetic dimensions of this crucial
inter-relationship. Benedictus explores how the relationship among Iran, Israel, and United States
is impacting the world.
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September 7, 2007
In development since 2005 and eerily prescient, “Benedictus” posits the U.S. ready to bomb Iran.
With war and horrific devastation and bloodletting only 48 hours away, three men hold the key to
averting international tragedy: Ali Kermani (played by Ali Pourtash) an Iranian clergyman and
politician who is also a leader in Iran’s reformist movement; Asher Muthada (Al Faris), an Israeli
arms dealer who fled his native Iran after being tortured by the Khomeini revolutionary regime; and
Ben Martin(Earll Kingston), an American ambassador who had been a hostage in the 1979 U.S.
Embassy seizure in Teheran.
Martin would like to help, but will only go so far. He’s a point person who represents American
foreign policy, a tool of the U.S. government. Ali Kermani wants Iran to survive for a future with
greater individual human rights and personal freedoms; Asher Muthada drives for the release of his
sister from an Iranian prison. Kermani and Muthada had been the closest of friends in the past. The
passage of years and their lives in opposing countries have inserted some distance between them.
Can they possibly put aside their considerable differences to achieve a solution that will save the
lives of perhaps millions of people? They have only 48 hours. Can they possibly succeed in time?
Artists’ Biographies
Mahmood Karimi-Hakak is the Artistic Director of Mahak International Artists Inc. and a Professor of
Creative Arts at Siena College, has written, produced, directed, designed and/or acted in over 50 stage and
screen plays in the U.S., Europe and his native Iran. His plays and films have received international
acclaim and awards at such festivals as Edinburgh, Netherlands, Berlin, Delhi, Montreal, New York, Ft.
Lauderdale, Palm Springs, Maryland and Tehran. A recipient of the 2005 Raymond C. Kennedy Award,
Dr. Karimi-Hakak’s literary credits include five plays, two books of poetry, several translations from and
into Persian and numerous articles and interviews both in English and Persian. Prior to his tenure at Siena,
he taught theatre in Belgium, Germany and his native Iran, as well as CUNY, Towson and Southern
Methodist Universities here in the U.S. and served as Artistic Director of Community of International
Artists (CIA), Forough Ensemble (FE) and Creative Arts Street Theatre (CAST).
Motti Lerner is a widely known and internationally sought after contemporary Israeli playwright,
screenwriter and scholar. His critically acclaimed plays have consistently sought to open up public
discourse on the complex reality of Israeli life and offer alternatives to consensus views. His film script
Spring 1941 is currently in production with Joseph Fiennes in the title role. Motti has received several
awards for his writing including the Meskin Award for the best play (1985), and the Israel Motion Picture
Academy award for best TV drama in 1995 and in 2004. He frequently lectures at European and American
Universities on playwriting, Israeli theatre and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and is actively involved in the
peace movement in Israel. His American productions include: Pangs of the Messiah at Theatre J in
Washington DC, The murder of Isaac at Centerstage Theatre, Baltimore, and also as part of the New York
Now festival at Public Theatre in NY, Exile in Jerusalem at the Jewish Ensemble Theatre of Detroit and
also at La Mama Theatre in New York, Hard Love at Theatre Or in Durham, NC and also at Victory
Gardens in Chicago, Passing The Love of Women at Theatre J in Washington DC, Coming Home at Golden
Thread Productions, San Francisco and Autumn at the Georgetown University Program. He has served as
writer in residence at The Centre for Postgraduate Hebrew Studies in Oxford and as a visiting professor at
Duke University. In 1994, Motti was awarded the Prime Minister of Israel Award for Writers. He has also
participated at the International Writers Program at the University of Iowa. He currently teaches Political
Playwriting at Tel Aviv University.
Roberta Levitow has directed over 50 productions in NYC, LA and nationally, with a particular expertise
in developing original writing and new work. She is co-founder of Theatre Without Borders, an informal
group supporting international theatre exchange at www.theatrewithoutborders.com. With TWB, Roberta
is working with Dr. Cynthia Cohen and Coexistence International at Brandeis University as part of a
"Theatre & Peace Building Initiative". She has led several workshops on an international level, and has
served as a Fulbright Senior Specialist at the National University of Theatre & Film in Bucharest, Romania,
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September 7, 2007
as well as a Fulbright Senior Specialist Artist-in-Residence at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She
has received several international awards and honors for her work in experimental theatre and theatre
workshops, and was the American Honoree at the 15th Cairo International Festival for Experimental
Theatre, 2003. Her accomplishments and writings have been featured in The New York Times and
American Theatre Magazine and several international publications and collections. Participation in national
service organizations includes Peer Panel for the N.E.A., the Executive Board of SSDC (The Society of
Stages Directors and Choreographers) and the Executive Board of TCG (Theatre Communications Group).
Visiting Professor at Bennington College from 2000-2005, she taught from 1990-2000 as an Adjunct
Associate Professor in the Theatre Department at U.C.L.A.
Daniel Michaelson he has created costumes and scenery for Opera, Dance, Off-Broadway and regional
theatres. He designed scenery and costumes for the American premiere of“L’Etoile” (Chabrier), and
costumes for the American premiere of “The Goose of Cairo,” (Mozart) and, for the highly acclaimed
production of “Spring Awakening” directed by Liviu Culei at the Public Theater. Outside of the United
States his designs have been seen in Germany, England and Japan. Danny has been the Resident Costume
Designer at the Juilliard School as well as a Muppet maker. He holds an MFA from Columbia University
School of the Arts and has been on the faculty of Bennington College since 1981 teaching Costume Design.
Danny is also a professional mediator, and with Bennington College faculty member, Susan Sgorbati,, codirects Quantum Leap, a program they created for youth at risk in Bennington. Danny has given
presentations and workshops both nationally and internationally about Quantum Leap and the use of
performance with students at risk.
Torange Yeghiazarian is an Iranian-born theatre artist of Armenian heritage. She writes, directs and
performs for theatre. Among her writing and directing credits are AGABA, Publicly Resting, Call Me
Mehdi, Behind Glass Windows, Dawn at Midnight, Operation No Penetration, Lysistrata 97! and Waves.
Torange received her Master's degree in Theatre Arts from San Francisco State University where she
collaborated with The San Francisco Mime Troupe in creating the melodrama Torch! Her plays reflect the
perspective of the culturally displaced in tackling today’s world of contradictory realities and values.
Torange is the Artistic Director of Golden Thread Productions, where she has devoted her professional life
to exploring Middle Eastern cultures and identities through theatre arts.
Ali Pourtash*, a renowned Iranian actor, has performed since age fourteen. He has been a part of numerous
Iranian and American TV, theatre and film productions since he came to the US in 1978. Ali has written,
directed and produced a number of stage and TV productions. He has traveled his work around the world. Ali
lives with his American wife, Melinda, and their two sons in San Diego.
Al Faris*, most recently guest starred on “The Unit” at the invitation of the creator of the show Mr. David
Mamet. His credits also include a recurring guest role on “24” and guest star roles on “The Shield,” “Sleeper
Cell,” “JAG,” “NYPD Blue,” and “Malcolm in the Middle.” His feature film credits include David Mamet’s
“Spartan,” Vadim Perelman’s “House of Sand and Fog,” “Jarhead” directed by Sam Mendes, and “Ocean’s
Twelve” directed by Steven Soderbergh. An Egyptian born Arab-American actor, Al’s most recent starring
role in the indie feature “AmericanEast” - a timely, poignant drama about Arab-Americans living in post9/11 Los Angeles – will be in competition at the Cairo International Film Festival and the Hamptons
International Film Festival. His most recent stage appearance prior to “Benedictus” was in the role of
Akhmed in the Moscow Arts Theatre production of the “The Shelter” at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles
which was nominated for five Ovation Awards, including Best Ensemble.
Golden Thread Productions is dedicated to exploring Middle Eastern culture and identity as it is
expressed around the globe. This growing theatre company is rapidly gaining international recognition for
excellence and innovation. Golden Thread Productions aims to create a world where the common human
experience supersedes cultural and political differences by defining the Middle East not by geographical
boundaries and political separations, but as the shared experience of the people, who throughout history
have been touched by its tales, melodies and aromas. Founded in 1996, Golden Thread Productions
exemplifies theatre’s ability to transcend cultural and political boundaries and to encourage an active
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September 7, 2007
dialogue among Middle Eastern and non-Middle Eastern communities. Detailed information about Golden
Thread Productions and about Benedictus can be found at www.goldenthread.org.
* Member of Actors’ Equity Association and Screen Actors’ Guild
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September 7, 2007
SF PERFORMANCE LISTINGS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CALENDAR LISTINGS
HIGH-RES JPEGS AVAILABLE BY CONTACTING
Media Contact: (765) 720-0485
Lanie Wieland, Lanie.@goldenthread.org
Golden Thread Productions presents
BENEDICTUS
An Ambitious International Collaboration Among
Iranian, Israeli and American Artists
WHO:
Golden Thread Productions
WHAT:
Benedictus: An Ambitious International Collaboration Among Iranian,
Israeli, and American Artists
PREVIEWS:
Pay-what-you-can
Saturday, September 29 @ 8 pm
Sunday, September 30 @ 8 pm
TICKETED RUN:
Opening Night, Monday, October 1st at 8 pm
Fridays at 8pm
Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm
Sundays at 5pm
ALL PERFORMANCES AT:
TICKETS:
The Thick House
1695 18th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
Opening Night followed by Gala Reception with the artists: $100
Fridays-Sundays:
$25 General Admission,
$12 Students and Seniors
Saturday Matinee:
$20 General Admission
$12 for Students and Seniors
BOX OFFICE: (415) 401-8081 or www.goldenthread.org
New audience members can take advantage of our Free Night of Theatre, on Saturday 10/20 for
the 2 pm performance.
To do so, please visit www.theatrebayarea.org.
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September 7, 2007
LA PERFORMANCE LISTINGS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press/media contact: Philip Sokoloff, (626) 683-9205
October 3, 2007
THE NEW PLAY “BENEDICTUS” ASKS: WILL THE U.S. BOMB IRAN?; OPENS
NOVEMBER 29 AT THE NEW LATC
WHAT: “Benedictus.” Los Angeles Premiere engagement of a new play.
WHO: Written by Motti Lerner. Translated from the Hebrew by Anthony Berris.
Created by Mahmood Karimi-Hakak, Motti Lerner, Roberta Levitow,
Daniel Michaelson, and Torange Yeghiazarian. Produced by Golden Thread
Productions.
WHERE: THE NEW LATC, Theatre 2, 514 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90013.
WHEN: November 29- December 9, 2007. Thurs.-Sat. at 8, Sun. at 3.
ADMISSION: $28. Students, seniors and groups of ten or more, $15. Also available via
the fall festival Cultural Green Card (four tickets at THE NEW LATC for $100).
RESERVATIONS: (323) 461-3673 (via the Ford Amphitheatre box office service).
GROUP SALES: (213) 489-0994.
ONLINE TICKETING: www.thenewlatc.com
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September 7, 2007