The International Returns to New York With Original Off-Broadway Cast

Origin Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of Tim Ruddy's The International will return to New York this summer with its original cast for a three-week encore engagement. The show is slated to run off-Broadway at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater from July 15-August 2.

Directed Christopher Randolph, the drama explores the effects of an ethnic-incited conflict on people inside and outside a warzone. The story follows Dave, an aspiring artist and truck driver (Ted Schneider); Hans, a well-meaning international peacekeeper (Timothy Carter); and Irene, a passionate farm woman (Carey Van Driest) — all of whom witness the same events taking place during an unnamed war in Eastern Europe. The play unfolds as the audience sees the world through each character's eyes.

The encore presentation is facilitated by Urbanite Theatre, a new Florida-based nonprofit. "Every year Urbanite will bring back a high-impact production from the previous season that cries out for more time to be seen," says Urbanite's founder and producer Harry Lipstein. "Too many incredible productions are mounted in New York, run briefly, and disappear never to be seen again," adds Origin Artistic Director George C. Heslin. "Urbanite will focus on the distinguished productions of powerful plays, remounting them again in the summer, and then putting the productions on track to come to our new theater in the thriving downtown arts scene of Sarasota."

The design team includes James Maloof (sets), Tristan Raines (costumes), Derek Van Heel (lighting), and Benjamin Furiga (sound design).

As it did during its initial run, The International will host post-show talkbacks about the collateral effects of civil conflicts in and outside the theater of war, and a discussion of the challenges faced by the international community in handling cataclysmic fracturing of communities due to racial and religious hatred. The talkbacks are scheduled to take place on three consecutive Thursdays during the show’s run: July 16, 23, and 30.

Participants will include Aisling Reidy, the senior legal advisor for Human Rights Watch; journalist Meline Toumani, author of There Was and There Was Not: A Journey Through Hate and Possibility in Turkey, Armenia and Beyond; Jacqueline Murekatete, a Rwandan genocide survivor and internationally recognized genocide prevention and human rights activist; legal scholar Vasuki Nesiah, who specializes in the law and politics of international human rights and humanitarianism; Thomas Cushman, the founder and current editor-at-large of the Journal of Human Rights; former veteran ABC News correspondent Justin Friedland; and Sarah Crowe, the director of Crisis Communications for UNICEF.

For tickets and more information, click here.