Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Opens Its Rosenthal Shelterhouse Season with SANCTUARY CITY

An Unconventional Love Story About Two Young Immigrants

CINCINNATI (Aug. 17, 2023) – The Rosenthal Shelterhouse Season opens Sept. 16 with SANCTUARY CITY, which tells the story of two U.S. immigrants in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy. The strikingly intimate play, written by Pulitzer Prize winner Martyna Majok, runs through Oct. 22. Opening night is Sept. 21.

How far would you go to help a friend, and what would you be willing to risk? This question is at the heart of SANCTUARY CITY, which features two young people who become one another’s sanctuaries after the 9/11 tragedy. Through years of late-night conversations, they see each other through adolescence and fight to find their place in the world.

“At a time of profound polarization on this delicate issue, Majok has given us something that transcends politics as only the best and most humane art can,” writes Elysa Gardner of New York Stage Review.

The two main characters are known only by their initials, B and G. When G becomes a naturalized citizen, she finds a way to help B stay in the country legally. But what begins as a simple choice becomes far more complicated, and G and B’s relationship teeters on the brink of falling apart. Playwright Martyna Majok draws upon her own experience as a Polish-born immigrant raised in New Jersey, infusing authenticity into their stories.

In an interview with DC Theater Arts, she says, “I want to invite people who are not from the world of the show to feel welcome in it. At the same time, for the folks that are from the world, I don’t wanna pander, I don’t wanna over-explain. I want someone who is from Jersey, from my high school, or with their parents to say, ‘That’s right!’ and not feel like I’m educating about my experience… I want both of
those audience members to feel welcome in these stories.”

SANCTUARY CITY begins in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 in 2001, but its portrayal of the immigrant experience is relevant today. As Director Kareem Fahmy explains, “It feels super contemporary because these issues around who gets to stay in the country, and why, and all that stuff hasn’t changed that much. If anything, it’s even more volatile with what’s been happening over the last few years.”

Despite the seriousness of the subject, the play is infused with humor throughout.

“I think it’s important for the theatrical experience to feel really balanced for an audience,” Fahmy continues. “So, we’re leaning into allowing the full humanity of the characters to emerge through how they use humor. I want an audience to have a good time no matter what the play is.”

CAST
B – Jordan Anthony Arredondo
Henry – Debo Balogun
G – Amira Danan

PRODUCTION
Playwright – Martyna Majok
Director – Kareem Fahmy
Set Designer – Alexander Woodward
Costume Designer – Gordon DeVinney
Lighting Designer – Heather Gilbert
Sound Designer & Composer – Megumi Katayama
Casting Director – Katie Galetti

TICKETS
Tickets begin at $35. Preview performances take place Sept. 16, 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. Opening night is Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Performances will take place on Tuesday-Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. A weekday matinee will be offered on Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the Playhouse Box Office at 513-421-3888 (toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana at 800-582-3208) or visit http://www.cincyplay.com. Patrons who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech disabled: dial 711 to connect to the Box Office via Ohio Relay Services.

EVENTS
Opening Night: Thursday, Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Share the excitement of Thursday opening nights with a lively post-show cast party.

Art Talks (Formerly Meet the Artists):

• Sunday, Sept. 24 at 2 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 1 at 2 p.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
  Stay after select performances for a behind-the-scenes discussion with members of the artistic team.

ADVISORY
SANCTUARY CITY is suitable for teenage and adult audiences. Two young immigrants fight to find their place in the world while using very strong language and discussing mature issues including domestic abuse.

SPONSORS
Production Sponsor is Digi and Mike Schueler. Design Sponsor is John and Jennifer Stein. Season Sponsor is the Vontz Family.

The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of almost 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community campaign. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation.

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