WEST COAST PREMIERE OF GUARDS AT THE TAJ

LOS ANGELES (October 5, 2015) Geffen Playhouse presents the West Coast premiere of Guards at the Taj by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Steinberg Award recipient Rajiv Joseph. The cast stars Raffi Barsoumian as Humayun and Ramiz Monsef as Babur. It is directed by Giovanna Sardelli, who directed world premieres of Joseph’s The North Pool, Animals Out of Paper and All This Intimacy. Guards at the Taj runs October 6 through November 15, 2015 (opening night is October 14) in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse.

Ambition, philosophy and absurdity spill-over in Rajiv Joseph’s violently beautiful, bold and surprising new play about two lowly guards handed the grueling task of protecting the Taj Mahal. Wildly comic and astoundingly tragic, the journey of these two friends asks if perfection comes at too great a cost. Artistic director Randall Arney said, “In this play that works at the boundaries of theater, Joseph asks questions about beauty, and the power of those that have the ability to buy the large scale creation of that beauty. He does this in the most human of terms, introducing us to two likable, funny guys, who think if they do a good job of guarding the Taj project, they will be promoted to guarding the harem.”

Charles Isherwood said in The New York Times, “Mr. Joseph dramatizes a dark myth about its building that stands as a grim allegory of the supreme divide between the powerful and the powerless in 17th-century India and, perhaps by extension, many places today. Guards raises potent questions about the human price paid throughout history for the caprices of the mighty, even when they result in architectural wonders that ultimately give pleasure to the masses.”

David Rooney said in The Hollywood Reporter that Guards at the Taj is, “a haunting consideration of loyalty and betrayal between friends, of duty and blind adherence to barbaric command, and of the ownership of beauty … moving from pitch-black absurdist comedy to horrific brutality, from philosophical reflection to surreal observation. It is thrashed out on a stage literally awash in the physical evidence of cruelty as the tone morphs from gallows humor through searing poignancy to devastating conflict. Joseph’s writing has similarities to Martin McDonagh’s [The Lieutenant of Inishmore] with its livewire dialogue, spiky character interplay, wicked humor and blunt cynicism. If Joseph is perhaps less focused on story, his attention to philosophical, existential and spiritual questions makes Guards at the Taj a strange but unexpectedly moving experience.”

Rajiv Joseph’s other works include Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Animals Out of Paper and Gruesome Playground Injuries, as well as seasons three and four of the Showtime series, Nurse Jackie. Guards at the Taj recently received the Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award. New York Magazine said Rajiv Joseph is, “a real stage poet … not afraid to debate the cosmos. His voice is a major one,” and the Los Angeles Times called him, “one of the most provocatively talented American playwrights.” Giovanna Sardelli, who has helmed over a half-dozen of Joseph’s plays, will direct.

Tickets priced from $60 to $82 are available in-person at the Geffen Playhouse box office, via phone at 310.208.5454 or online at www.geffenplayhouse.com.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Monday No performance

Tuesday – Friday 8:00pm

Saturday 3:00pm and 8:00pm

Sunday 2:00pm and 7:00pm

TICKET INFORMATION

Ticket prices are currently $60 - $82 are and are available in-person at the Geffen Playhouse box office, via phone at 310.208.5454 or online at www.geffenplayhouse.com.

LOCATION

Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse

10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024

ABOUT GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE

Geffen Playhouse has been a hub of the Los Angeles theater scene since opening its doors in 1995. Noted for its intimacy and celebrated for its world-renowned mix of classic and contemporary plays, provocative new works and second productions, the not-for-profit organization continues to present a body of work that has garnered national recognition. Named in honor of entertainment mogul and philanthropist David Geffen, who made the initial donation to the theater, the company was founded by Gilbert Cates, and is currently helmed by Artistic Director Randall Arney, Executive Director Gil Cates, Jr., and Co-Chairs of the Board Martha Henderson and Pamela Robinson Hollander. Proudly associated with UCLA, the Geffen welcomes an audience of more than 130,000 each year, and maintains an extensive education and outreach program, designed to engage young people and the community at large in the arts. Following a strong 2014/2015 season during which five productions extended, the company’s 20th anniversary season features eight productions (two world and three West Coast premieres) featuring some of the nation’s leading playwrights and directors. www.geffenplayhouse.com.

MEDIA CONTACT

Katy Sweet & Associates Public Relations

katy@katysweetpr.com/310-479-2333