Huntington Presents World Premiere of
"The Cry of the Reed"

Drama Focuses on Journalists in Iraq

An ambitious Turkish-American journalist eager for the next big story finds herself embroiled in an international incident in the Huntington Theatre Company’s world premiere production of Sinan Ünel’s “The Cry of the Reed,” playing March 28 - May 3 at the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts.

“Cry of the Reed,” directed by Daniel Goldstein, was featured in the 2007 Breaking Ground Festival of new play readings. As well, Ünel was in the first group of Huntington Playwriting Fellows from 2004-2005.

“Cry of the Reed's” cast includes Amir Arison, Lisa Birnbaum, Sean Dugan, Laith Nakli, Cigdem Onat, Darren Pettie and Rafi Silver.

In “Cry of the Reed,” Turkish-American photojournalist Sevgi Okan defies her editors to revisit war-torn Iraq. Though intent on staying safe, Sevgi and her Canadian colleague Philip are detained by insurgents who question their motives, their faith and their identities.

Sevgi's boyfriend Josh, determined to rescue both Sevgi and their failing relationship, seeks out Sevgi's estranged expatriate American mother Ayla, who's living in Turkey as a devout and worldly Sufi teacher with thousands of followers.

As Sevgi fights for her freedom, Josh’s search leads to a deepening friendship with Ayla. And when Sevgi’s increasingly desperate detention becomes international news, Ayla is called into action.

Ünel's previous plays, "Pera Palas,” “Tolstoy’s Den,” “Thalassa My Heart,” and “Three of Cups” have been produced around the world including at Lark Theatre Company, Long Wharf Theatre, Arcola Theatre, Boston Playwrights’ Theatre, The Gate Theatre, Theater @ Boston Court, Open Stage Theatre, Austria’s Landestheater, Germany’s Theater Kosmos, Provincetown Theater Company, and Provincetown Theatreworks. He won the John Gassner Memorial Award and the Daryl Roth Creative Spirit Award, and his screenplay “Race Point” won first place in the 2001 New Century Screenwriting Contest. Ünel teaches at Boston’s Emerson College.

Director Daniel Goldstein has Huntington credits that include the award-winning 2005 revival of “Falsettos,” “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” and “Unknown Soldier,” a musical he co-wrote with Michael Friedman that will be read at the 2008 Breaking Ground Festival in April. Other credits include the Off Broadway musical “Walmartopia,” “Godspell” at Paper Mill Playhouse (which will transfer this fall to Broadway), “But I’m a Cheerleader” at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, and “Bathsheba Doran’s Living Room in Africa” at Gloucester Stage Company. Goldstein was associate director for the Broadway production of “All Shook Up!” and resident director for the first national tour of “Mamma Mia!” His one-person show “celebration” has played off Broadway, New Haven, San Francisco, and the HBO Aspen Comedy Arts Festival.

Related Events

The special events listed below are free with the purchase of tickets to any performance of “The Cry of the Reed.” All events take place at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA unless otherwise noted.

April 1 – “Tuesday Talks” Series
An in depth exploration of the issues from the play, with a question-and-answer forum featuring a series of experts. This event features Boston Globe reporter Charles Sennott. Following the 7:30 p.m. performance.

April 8 – Emerging Playwrights Forum
“The Cry of the Reed” author Sinan Ünel talks about his inspirations for the play. 6:30 p.m.

April 15 – “Tuesday Talks” Series
An in depth exploration of the issues from the play, with a question-and-answer forum featuring a series of experts. Following the 7:30 p.m. performance.

April 20 – Humanities Forum
Get the historical and literary context of the play in a lively session following the 2 p.m. performance.

April 24 – Actors Forum.
Cast members take audience questions following the 7:30 p.m. performance

April 29 – “Tuesday Talks” Series
An in depth exploration of the issues from the play, with a question-and-answer forum featuring a series of experts. Following the 7:30 p.m. performance.

April 30 – Actors Forum
Cast Members of the cast take audience questions following the 2 p.m. performance.

For information and tickets, visit the box office, call 617-266-0800 or visit www.huntingtontheatre.org.

-- OnStage Boston