Juri Henley-Cohn stars in the title role of ‘Bashir Lazhar’ at Barrington Stage
(PITTSFIELD, Mass.) – Bashir Lazhar, a drama about a French-Algerian political refugee who becomes an elementary school teacher in Montreal, written by Canadian playwright Evelyne de la Chenelière, receives its U.S. premiere run at Barrington Stage Company from Wednesday, May 22, 2013, through Sunday, June 8, 2013. Juri Henley-Cohn makes his Barrington Stage debut in the title role.
Bashir Lazhar was adapted for the screen under the title Monseiur Lazhar and was nominated for a 2012 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Barrington Stage presented a staged reading of Bashir Lazhar in June 2012, directed by Shakina Nayfack, who directs this summer’s production.
An acclaimed Canadian play, Bashir Lazhar tells the story of a French-Algerian political refugee who is hurriedly hired as the teacher at an elementary school in Montreal for a class of distressed students. His unorthodox teaching methods draw him into surprisingly explosive territory. Timely and deeply moving, Bashir Lazhar explores the practical and emotional nuances of living in a multicultural society, the pain of loss and the power of imagination. The play, originally written in French, will be performed in an English translation by Morwyn Brebner.
Bashir Lazhar opens the 2013 St. Germain Stage season at the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center, 36 Linden Street, Pittsfield. Tickets start at $40 (reserved seating).
Playwright Evelyne de la Chenelière
Performances of Bashir Lazhar are Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30pm, Saturday at 4pm, Sunday at 3pm. There is an added matinee Thursday, June 6 at 4pm. Tickets start at $40 (reserved seating). Tickets to the Low Priced Preview performances May 22 & 23 are $15. Seniors: $32 all matinees. For youth ages 6-18, tickets are $15 for all performances (subject to availability). To purchase tickets or for more information, call the Barrington Stage Box Office at 413.236.8888 (or toll-free at 855-TIX-2BSC) or visit Barrington Stage Company.
There will be a Post-Show Discussion on Tuesday, May 28, following the 7:30pm performance of Bashir Lazhar at St. Germain Stage at the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center, 36 Linden Street, Pittsfield.