FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: press@synetictheater.org • 703-824-8060

DATE: May 11, 2012

Synetic Opens the World Premiere
of “Home of the Soldier”

Washington, DC – Synetic Theater, one of the DC area’s most celebrated contemporary theaters, is proud to present the world premier of its newest original work, Home of the Soldier. This powerful and thrilling wartime drama sprang from the collective imagination of Artistic Director Paata Tsukurisvilli and Synetic’s Resident Fight Choreographer Ben Cunis. The pair engaged in extensive conversations with veteran soldiers and officers before writing the story, which follows the sudden evolution of one man from a videogame-playing youth to a real-life soldier and the physical and psychological struggles he faces therein.

In a nebulous, timeless alternate reality, our protagonist, known only as the Son (Vato Tsukurisvilli), is in the middle of a videogame raid when he receives an on-screen call from his well-respected general Father (Irakli Kavsadze), checking in from abroad. To his horror, in the middle of this casual video call, he sees his father’s encampment ambushed and his father beaten and dragged away. What follows is the Son’s journey to understand his father’s life and his own, first enlisting in the army and then being sent to the very war zone his father disappeared in.

Brimming with the striking visuals and extremely physical staging Synetic is known for, Home of the Soldier is, at its heart, an exploration of one’s true self and individual values held closest in times of duress. As the Son progresses as a soldier and person, he begins to truly question the concept of “home” and how that extends to the close-knit bonds formed in faraway lands and yet still remains tied up in memories of his family, father and childhood town. Against the rapid-fire backdrop of battle, the Son must consider precisely what he’s willing to sacrifice for his friendships, family and country.

Synetic will extensively use projections and multimedia in the staging of this show, and will further explore ideas used in the most recent production of The Taming of the Shrew at the Lansburgh Theatre.

This brand new original play follows on the heels of Synetic’s recent success at the 28th Annual Helen Hayes Awards, where the company received an impressive four awards and 15 nominations. In total, this award-winning theater company has received 24 Helen Hayes Awards and 92 nominations since its launch in 2001.

Home of the Soldier

Created by Paata Tsikurishvili and Ben Cunis; Written by Ben Cunis
Directed by Paata Tsukurishvili; Choreographed by Irina Tsikurishvili
Set Design by Daniel Pinha; Costume Design by Laree Lentz;
Lighting Design by Andrew F. Griffin; Multimedia Design by Riki K
Original Music by Konstantine Lortkipanidze;
Sound Design by Irakli Kavsadze

Cast: Vato Tsikurishvili (Son), Irakli Kavsadze (Father), Zana Gankhuyag (Kid), Jodi Niehoff (Barbarian Mother), Joseph Carlson (Sarge), Victoria Bertocci (Two), Dallas Tolentino (Three), Matthew Ward (Five), Pasquale Guiducci (Seven), Austin Johnson (Eight & Recruiter 2), Jessica Thorne (Nine & Recruiter 1), Ben Arden (Eleven), Kathryn Conners (Sniper), Philip Fletcher (Barbarian).

Dates:May 31 – July 1, 2012
Regular Run: Wednesdays & Sundays, 7:30 p.m.; Thursdays – Saturdays, 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays & Sundays, 2:00 p.m.
Pay-What-You-Can Preview Performance:Thursday, May 31, 8:00 p.m.
$30 Preview Performances: Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2, 8:00 p.m.
Press Performance: Sunday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m.
American Sign Language Performance and Q&A Session: Friday, June 8, 8 p.m.
Tickets: $45 – $55, regular; student tickets starting at $25. Military, senior & group discounts available

ABOUT SYNETIC THEATER
Founded in 2001 by the husband and wife team of Paata and Irina Tsikurishvili, Synetic Theater is the region’s premier contemporary theater fusing dynamic art forms—such as text, drama, movement, acrobatics, dance, and original music. Synetic has received a total of 92 Helen Hayes Award nominations and 24 Awards for directing, choreography, acting, costume design, and best play.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Venue: Synetic Theater at Crystal City
Address: 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington, VA 22202
Metro: Crystal City (Blue / Yellow Lines)
Parking: Free after 4pm on weekdays, Free all day on weekends
Box Office:800.494.8497 or www.synetictheater.org

Synetic Theater
2611 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Suite 103
Arlington, Virginia 22202

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