Orlando, FL – The Valencia College Theater is proud to present the hard-hitting, Pulitzer-Prize winning play “Ruined” from Feb. 17-22 in the Black Box Theater at Valencia College’s East Campus.
The winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, as well as four Obie Awards, and two Drama Desk Awards, “Ruined” explores the resilience of the human spirit during a civil war.
Set in a small mining town in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, “Ruined” follows Mama Nadi, a businesswoman trying to stay afloat in a world torn apart by civil war. The war has destroyed the country; hardest hit are the young girls who’ve been victimized by soldiers from rebel and government forces. Mama Nadi takes in “damaged” girls into her bar and brothel. Although Mama Nadi profits from these abused girls, she also protects them from the brutality of the world outside her doors.
Theatergoers will meet Josephine, the daughter of a chief whose town was destroyed and who was raped by rebel soldiers; Salima, who was taken by rebel soldiers who killed her baby and took her as a prisoner-of-war before making her pregnant; and Sophie, a young girl who has been “ruined” by sexual violence. The play also introduces theatergoers to soldiers and commanders on both sides of the conflict, all frequent customers at Mama’s bar.
Playwright Lynn Nottage wrote “Ruined” after traveling to Africa, where she interviewed girls and women who were victims of civil war.
Valencia’s production will be directed by program chair John DiDonna.
Mama Nadi will be played by Sheryl Carbonell, who was last seen in “You Can’t Take it With You” at Mad Cow Theatre in Orlando. She is joined by other theater and film community members Travis Hadley, Essex O’Brien and Paul Castaneda, the artistic director of Greater Orlando Actors Theatre. They, along with Valencia students Saige Love, Kisheera Victrum, Kimberly Bonny, Stelson Telfort, Arik Latimer, Yves Esapa and Valencia alumnus Mark Harriott, will bring Nottage’s work to the stage at Valencia.
A talk-back discussion with the director and cast will follow the performance on Friday, Feb. 19.
General admission tickets cost $12. Senior citizens, Valencia faculty, staff and students may purchase tickets for $10. Tickets can be purchased online at www.valenciacollege.edu/arts.
Use the code “VALENCIAWEB” for a $2 discount on each ticket. The discount is for online purchases only. Tickets and more information are also available by calling the college box office at 407-582-2900.
Please note: The play contains adult subject matter and is considered a PG to PG-13 rating.
Valencia’s East Campus is located at 701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail.
WHAT: “Ruined”
WHO: The Valencia College Theater
Directed by John DiDonna
WHEN: ONLY 6 PERFORMANCES
Wednesday, Feb. 17 – Monday, Feb. 22
Evening performances (Feb. 17, 18, 19, 20, 22) begin at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday Matinee performance (Feb. 21) will begin at 2 p.m.
WHERE: Valencia College East Campus – Building 3, Black Box Theater
701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando, FL.
TICKETS: $12 general admission
$10 for Valencia students, faculty, staff and senior citizens
Box Office: 407-582-2900
Online: www.valenciacollege.edu/arts