Corthron, Horovitz, Nelson, Raffo, et al. Set for The Middle East, In Pieces

Playwrights Kia Corthron, Israel Horovitz, Anne Nelson, Heather Raffo, Betty Shamieh, and Beau Willimon will contribute works to The Middle East, In Pieces, a reading of six short works to be performed at 8pm on August 17 and 18 at the Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street). Performers will include Mozhan Marno and Anthony Veneziale.

Three pieces were specifically written for the event: Corthron’s Power Lunch, which imagines a pleasant meal between two woman named Condie and Hillary; Horovitz’s Beirut Rocks, about American students in a Beirut hotel awaiting evacuation; and Willimon’s Dog River, which takes the form of email exchanges between an Arab-American in Lebanon and his girlfriend in the U.S. The evening will also include excerpts from Nelson’s Petra, Shamieh’s The Black Eyed, and Raffo’s 9 Parts of Desire.

The reading, which includes a post-performance dialogue with the audience, is free; however, a $10 donation to the Cherry Lane is suggested. Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling 212-989-2020, ext. 32 or by emailing MiddleEastReading@gmail.com.