The Immigrant Begins Performances Tonight at George Street Playhouse

Performances begin tonight of Mark Harelik's The Immigrant at George Street Playhouse, running through April 7.

Based on the life of Harelik's Russian-Jewish grandfather, The Immigrant, according to a press release, "tells the story Haskell Harelik, who arrives at the port of Galveston, Texas in 1909 seeking refuge from his homeland. With only his banana cart in tow, Haskell finds compassion and friendship from an unlikely couple, falls in love, and creates a life for his family in pursuit of the American dream."

Jim Jack, George Street Playhouse's director of education, directs a cast that includes Benjamin Pelteson (The Mines of Sulphur at New York City Opera) as Haskell, with Gretchen Hall (Broadway's Stickfly), Lauriel Friedman (Vanity Fair at the Pearl Theatre Company), and R. Ward Duffy.

The creative team includes Jason Simms (set designer), Ásta Bennie Hostetter (costume designer), Christopher J. Bailey (lighting designer), Scott Killian and Christopher Pfeifer (sound design), Killian (original music), Caite Hevner (projection designer), and Samantha Flint (stage management), with casting by McCorkle Casting Ltd.