"The Near East" Takes the Stage

Dinner and the theater is almost a year round option in Upper Michigan.

The latest show at NMU’s Forest Roberts Theatre is set in Saudi Arabia.

Because much of the play “The Near East”, by Alex Lewin, takes place in the Middle East, the cast had to adjust to the culture.

And that made it a challenging piece for the group.

NMU student Taylor Kulju says since Middle Eastern culture was so foreign to her coming in, her role in the production is the most difficult acting role she’s had.

After performing here, they’ll take the performance on the road for the first time since 1995.

Director Ansley Valentine says they’ve formed a partnership with the Players Guild Theater in Canton, Ohio, and a few weeks after “The Near East” completes its run in Marquette, the entire production will hit the road and put on the play in Canton for a week.

Show dates at NMU’s Black Box Thatre are February 15th through the 18th and the 21st through the 25th.

Seating is limited to 100 people.

Posted by: Mike Hoey