Conviction set for Theatre Wit

Jan 4, 2011
Theatre Wit

Maya Productions, in collaboration with ShPIeL-Performing Identity, Larry Horn, and Steve Klein, proudly announce CONVICTION, February 3-20 at Theater Wit (1229 W. Belmont). Performances are every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale at the Theater Wit box office by calling (773) 975-8150 or by visiting www.theaterwit.org/boxoffice. Preview performances are February 3-5 and tickets are $17.50. Discounted tickets are available to seniors, students, industry professionals and groups of 10 or more for $17.50. All other tickets are $27.50.

CONVICTION, is based on a true story of faith and forbidden love in the shadows of the Spanish Inquisition. In Franco-ruled 1960's Madrid, an Israeli scholar is detained for stealing a confidential Inquisition file. Contained within it is the true confession of Spanish priest Andres Gonzalez (1447-1486), whose faith is tested when he finds himself in love with a Jewish woman.

"CONVICTION breathes life into a piercing historical account of Jews and Catholics in the 1400s, speaking directly to us today, as religious beliefs and secular ideologies rise up against each other," says performer Ami Dayan. "I was drawn to the production's passion; the true, hauntingly poetic love story is ultimately one of greater awareness. It is about the struggle for freedom, the freedom to choose whom one loves, one's faith and identity - at the ultimate
stakes."

Written by Oren Neeman and directed by Kevin Hart, CONVICTION is based on the Yonatan Ben Nachum novel Confessions. This one-man play stars Ami Dayan and is directed by Kevin Hart. The production team includes costume designer Kevin Brainerd, music by Jon Sousa and Yoni Green and movement direction by Robert Davidson.

CONVICTION won the prestigious TheatreNetto Award and played for five seasons with more than 500 performances in the repertoire of Israel's National Theatre, Habima, and in prominent venues across the United States including the Denver Centre Theatre Company, California International Theatre Festival, Curious Theatre Company, Cleveland Play House Theatre and a celebrated Off-Broadway run at 59E59 Theaters in New York City. CONVICTION was also performed at Theatre Or's 2008 "OnStageIsrael Festival" at Victory Gardens.