Culture in brief: ‘Roan @ The Gates’ at Luna Stage
Aaliyah Habeeb and Mel House will star in Christina Gorman’s cyber-security romance “Roan @ The Gates,” directed by Michelle Tattenbaum at Luna Stage, 555 Valley Road, West Orange. This World Premiere features an all-female cast and female-led creative team. It started previews on Thursday, Jan. 31, and runs through Sunday, Feb. 24.
In a release, Luna writes: "Inspired by a shadowy photograph of Edward Snowden's girlfriend, Roan @ The Gates is a fictional investigation into cyber-security. Roan is a data analyst for the NSA, and her wife, Nat, is a lawyer committed to human rights advocacy. When their personal life collides with national security, it launches
a beautiful, high-stakes adventure that illuminates the cost of secrecy."
Set in Washington D.C. and Russia, "Roan @ The Gates" explores what happens when personal lives collide with national security.
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READ: AT LUNA STAGE, ARI LAURA KREITH ENGAGES COMMUNITY
READ: THEATER REVIEW; HEARING ABOUT MALAWI IN 'PIRIRA'
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Luna continues, "'Roan @ The Gates' is the third play in Luna’s 2019-2020 season, which centers around the question of how we bridge cultural divides. Each play is set in at least two locations (Roan takes place in Washington D.C. and Russia) and grapples with contemporary human connection and communication. Earlier this season Luna produced J.Stephen Brantley’s 'Pirira,' set simultaneously in the African nation of Malawi
and midtown Manhattan, and Camilo Almonacid’s 'The Assignment,' an interview-inspired piece exploring gun violence and reconciliation. Coming in April is Gabriel Jason Dean’s 'Heartland,' set in Nebraska and Afghanistan, which explores family, loss, and love.
Playwright Christina Gorman’s plays have been produced at The Public Theater, American Blues Theater, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Hangar Theatre, Prospect Theatre Company, Summer Play Festival, Stageworks/Hudson, Samuel French Short Play Festival, and Stella Adler Studios.
Director Michelle Tattenbaum most recently directed "Peter and the Starcatcher" at Cape Fear Regional Theatre. Previous projects with Itamar Moses include the world premiere of the musical "Nobody Loves You" at the Old Globe (San Diego Theatre Critics Circle nomination: Best Director) and the NY premiere at Second
Stage.
Tickets are available at lunastage.org/roan, or by calling 973-395-5551.