Interact Announces Cast for Jihad Jones, Recipients of 20/20 New Play Commissions

Fajer Al-Kaisi, John Zak, Leah Walton, Peter Schmitz, and Laura Catlaw will star in Interact Theatre Company’s production of Yussef El Guindi’s Jihad Jones & The Kalashnikov Babes, to be presented April 10-May 10.

This new comedy, making its National New Play Network world premiere, is a satire examining the effect Hollywood’s stereotyping of Arab-Americans has on one up-and-coming actor. The design team will include Adam Riggar (set), Susan Smythe (costumes), and Peter Escalada-Mastick (lighting).

In related news, InterAct has announced the four 2009 recipients of its 20/20 New Play Commissions, a program established to explore the issues society will face over the next twenty years through the eyes of both established and up-and-coming playwrights.

Recipients include Kara Lee Corthron for an untitled new play, Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig for Lidless, Peter Gil-Sheridan for Ritu Comes Home, and Sean Christopher Lewis for The Road to Eden. Awards range from $2,500 developmental grants, which are given to works already in progress, to $5,000 – $10,000 new play commissions, which go to new, previously (or substantially) unwritten plays.

For more information, visit www.interacttheatre.org.