Theatre Production To Address Modern Day Honor Killings

(Worcester, MA – April 9, 2007) The Worcester State Theatre Up Close and the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at Worcester State College proudly present the production of The Beauty Inside by Catherine Filloux, a tale about the clash of modern and traditional culture in present day Turkey.

Written with power, humor, and deep compassion, The Beauty Inside will take to the stage under the direction of Elliot Norton Award winner Adam Zahler. The Beauty Inside, the story of a 14-year-old Turkish girl (Yalova), explores the relationship she has with a family that has turned against her and the young lawyer who hopes to sees the case as a means to a political end. After being subject to a brutal rape and attempted murder, Yalova must go into hiding to escape her family as they seek to regain their honor by killing her. Devrim, a Turkish-American lawyer, takes on Yalova's case and challenges the age-old tradition of honor killing. Themes of oppression and human rights are in stark relief against a background of very real individual anguish as Yalova and Devrim’s families are torn apart.

Author, Catherine Filloux, whose plays seek understanding of people (particularly women) in human rights crises, will attend the opening night performance Thursday April 26. A discussion with Ms. Filloux will follow the performance.

An intimate and exciting alternative performance space is being created for his year’s production while the Administration Auditorium undergoes renovation. Audiences will be “up close” to the action, seated in special, temporary seating on the Sullivan stage. Each play produced on the Sullivan stage will have a unique configuration, treating the stage as a “black box” and creating a new performing area and new audience arrangement every time.

The Worcester State College production of The Beauty Inside will star Jessica Telemaque as “Yalova”, and Laura Losi as “Devrim”. Also appearing: Renee Beauregard as “Peri”, Judd Bornheimer as “Nazim”, and Mike O’Connor featured in multiple roles. Contributors include Susan Johnson-Hood in costume design and John Howell Hood in set design and lighting.

The performance will debut Thursday, April 26^thand will continue to run through Sunday, April 29^th. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night performances are at 7:30 P.M., and on Sunday at 2:00 P.M.

Tickets will be sold at the door and will also be available for purchase at the Information Desk in the Worcester State College Student Center. Tickets are priced at $6 for students and senior citizens, and $12 for the general public.

For information call 508-929-8843.

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