Pera Palas
5 m, 5 w Approximate running time 2 hrs 30 min
Three stories, three different timelines, all anchored in a room at Istanbul’s historic Pera Palas hotel. In 1920, an English writer arrives at “ The Queen of Cities,” and becomes a guest at a royal harem. In 1950, a young American teacher falls in love wth a rogue, idealistic and charming Turk. In 1995, a gay expatriate comes home to introduce his American lover to his troubled family. The three stories weave through each other in this elaborate three-act play, as do the sexes, east and west, past and present, and Islam and Christianity. A terrific workout for a director and the ten actors who play a multitude of roles.
Three stories, three different timelines, all anchored in a room at Istanbul’s historic Pera Palas hotel. In 1920, an English writer arrives at “ The Queen of Cities,” and becomes a guest at a royal harem. In 1950, a young American teacher falls in love wth a rogue, idealistic and charming Turk. In 1995, a gay expatriate comes home to introduce his American lover to his troubled family. The three stories weave through each other in this elaborate three-act play, as do the sexes, east and west, past and present, and Islam and Christianity. A terrific workout for a director and the ten actors who play a multitude of roles.
My first, and most extensive collaboration with the Lark, Pera Palas marked the beginning of my long and fruitful relationship with that group. The play was invited to Lark’s Playwright’s Week in 1997 and had a terrifically succesful public reading there. Subsequently I was paired with director Steven Williford and we put together Lark’s signature “Bare Bones” production in the winter of 1998. Finally, the play opened off-Broadway for a limited run and was extended after getting terrific reviews.
Writing Pera Palas was a truly cathartic experience. As a dual citizen of two vastly disparate worlds, I always felt psychically divided. This play was the first time I felt those two aspects finally joined together. And it was a dance. A wild, and wonderful dance - and writing it was thrilling. A love story for the city of Istanbul, it's my most frequently produced play. Ironically, it's never been produced play. |
“Hugely ambitious and blessed with a versatile, richly talented cast, an excellent new play called ''Pera Palas'' arrived last night to engage the mind and grip the emotions. Its three intertwined stories embrace no less than the destiny of a nation, the liberation of women and the fate of lovers.... ''Pera Palas'' pulses with passion and questing intelligence. “ - The New York Times
Productions - Readings - Awards
Lark Theatre Company - first public reading - June 4, 1997
Lark Theatre Company - BareBones production - January, 1998
Lark Theatre Company - first full production - June, 1998
National Theater, London - reading - 1999
Gate Theater, London - full production - 2000
Landestheater, Tubingen, Germany - full production - 2001
Theater Kozmos, Bergenz, Ausria - full production - 2001
Long Wharf Theater, New Haven, CT - full production - 2002
Open Stage Theater Co., Pittsburgh, PA - full production - 2003
Antaeus Theatre Company, Los Angeles - reading -2005
Theatre at Boston Court, Pasadena, CA - full production - 2005
Arcola Theatre, London - full production - 2007
John Gassner Memorial Award
Daryl Roth Creative Spirit Award
Productions - Readings - Awards
Lark Theatre Company - first public reading - June 4, 1997
Lark Theatre Company - BareBones production - January, 1998
Lark Theatre Company - first full production - June, 1998
National Theater, London - reading - 1999
Gate Theater, London - full production - 2000
Landestheater, Tubingen, Germany - full production - 2001
Theater Kozmos, Bergenz, Ausria - full production - 2001
Long Wharf Theater, New Haven, CT - full production - 2002
Open Stage Theater Co., Pittsburgh, PA - full production - 2003
Antaeus Theatre Company, Los Angeles - reading -2005
Theatre at Boston Court, Pasadena, CA - full production - 2005
Arcola Theatre, London - full production - 2007
John Gassner Memorial Award
Daryl Roth Creative Spirit Award