MIDDLEBURY — The premier radio theatre company, L.A. Theatre Works, will bring its riveting documentary play “SEVEN” to Wright Memorial Theatre on March 3 and 4 as part of the Middlebury College Performing Arts Series’ 100th anniversary season.
Written by seven female writers, the play is based on personal interviews with seven remarkable women who faced life-threatening obstacles — resistance, death threats, entrenched norms, and pervasive violence — yet later brought heroic changes to their home countries of Pakistan, Nigeria, Ireland, Afghanistan, Guatemala, Russia and Cambodia. “SEVEN” makes the powerful and timeless statement that even in the darkest times, one person, one voice and a single act of courage can change the lives of thousands.
“This play matches seven incredible, real-life women with seven remarkable playwrights, whose works are then portrayed by seven dynamic actresses from the L.A. film and theatre scene,” said Mahaney Arts Center Director Liza Sacheli. “It’s a powerful evening of theatre, and perfect for the lead-up to International Women’s Day on March 8.”
The Women of “SEVEN”
“SEVEN” was written by playwrights Carol K. Mack (who conceived the play), Anna Deavere Smith, Paula Cizmar, Catherine Filloux, Gail Kriegel, Ruth Margraff, and Susan Yankowitz. It is based on the real lives of Marina Pisklakova-Parker (founder of the first hotline for victims of domestic violence in Russia), Mu Sochua (Human Rights Advocate and the former Minister of Women’s Affairs in Cambodia), Anabella De Leon (Guatemalan congresswoman and human rights advocate), Inez McCormack (human rights and trade union activist in Northern Ireland), Farida Azizi (Afghani activist fighting the marginalization of women under Taliban rule), Hafsat Abiola (Nigerian human rights and democracy advocate), and Mukhtar Mai (champion of women’s rights and education in Pakistan).
“SEVEN” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, and Wednesday, March 4, at Wright Memorial Theatre, on the campus of Middlebury College. A Q&A with the company will follow each show, and Wednesday’s performance will be presented with sign language interpretation. Tickets are $22 for the general public; $16 for Middlebury College faculty, staff, alumni, emeriti, and other ID card holders; $10 for youth; and $6 for Middlebury College students. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call (802) 443-MIDD (6433) or visit middlebury.edu/arts