My Name is Rachel Corrie Opens Tonight

Beyond the Proscenium Productions (BPP) joins forces with the Jewish Voice for Peace (http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/) and the Palestinian American Congress (http://www.pac-national.org/) in presenting My Name is Rachel Corrie for the first time in California. Karen Nylund directs this controversial play, based on the diaries and email of the peace activist and college student, who was bulldozed to death in the Middle East, beginning May 15th and running to June 14th at the Threepenny Theatre, behind the gray fence at 25th and R Streets in Midtown Sacramento. Local favorite Tygar Hicks, last seen in the critically acclaimed Blackbird, will portray the title role in this one woman, one act show.

My Name is Rachel Corrie is a play based on the diaries and emails of Rachel Corrie, edited by Katherine Viner and well known actor Alan Rickman, who directed it. It was originally performed at the Royal Court Theatre in London, where it went onto win a Theatregoers' Choice Awards for Best Director and Best New Play.

Rachel Corrie (April 10, 1979 – March 16, 2003) was an American Evergreen College student and member of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) who traveled to the Gaza Strip during the Second Intifada. She was killed by a Caterpillar D9R armored bulldozer operated by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during a protest against the destruction of Palestinian homes by the IDF in the Gaza Strip where IDF had designated a security zone and claimed contained a network of smuggling tunnels used for weapons smuggling and as guerilla hideouts which is necessary for them to destroy while Palestinians claim the tunnels are for "food, gasoline, and household treats'" trade under Israel blockade. (http://rachelswords.org/)

Tickets are $18 general admission and $15 students, seniors, military and SARTA members. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm. Seating is extremely limited so reservations are required. Please email contact [at] beyond-pro.org or call 916-456-1600.

Director Karen Nylund is an Artistic Associate with Beyond the Proscenium Productions and recent Masters graduate from Sacramento State University’s Theatre and Dance Department with an emphasis in directing and post-colonial theatre. Karen spent the last four years writing her thesis on Western Representations of the Middle East and immersing herself in research for the forthcoming Longman Anthology of Drama's chapter on Middle Eastern Theatre under the mentorship of Dr. Roberto Pomo. Her last production with BPP was the successful Nine Parts of Desire.

Want to make a differnce in the cultural climate of Sacramento? Join the board of directors for BPP. Interested parties are asked to email a short note explaining why they'd like to serve on the board to contact [at] beyond-pro.org