Written by Ted I. Benito - Aug 21, 2008 at 04:37 PM   

Filipino-American actress, playwright, and producer Leslie Lewis Sword, brings the true life story of Rwandan genocide survivor Immaculée Ilibagiza to the stage in the upcoming extended run of her powerful one-woman production of “Miracle in Rwanda." The production kicks off Latino Theatre Company’s Face of the World Festival at the newly-renovated Los Angles Theatre Center (the New LATC) and is set for a three-week run beginning September 11.

 

In the play, Leslie portrays ten different characters in depicting the remarkable story of how Immaculée bravely survived the genocide of the Tutsis by the Hutus following the assassination of the Rwandan president in 1994.   Along with seven other women, Immaculée was hidden by a Hutu pastor for 91 days in a tiny bathroom while Hutu killers repeatedly search for them. 

 

With only her deep devotion to her faith to keep her alive, Immaculée prayed the Rosary every day until she and women make a dashing escape to a nearby French Army camp for refugees.  Ultimately, the man who butchered her family is captured by the French and comes face to face with Immaculée.  What will Immaculée chose to do when she sees him?

 

Leslie Lewis Sword, who is the daughter of Filipina philanthropist Loida Nicolas-Lewis, received degrees from Harvard University and the U.C.L.A. Department of Theatre.  She made her New York debut as Dorothy Dandridge in “Yesterday Came Too Soon”, a solo show at the National Black Theater of Harlem which played to sold out audiences.   She also co-starred with Billy Zane in the short film “Starving Hysterical Naked”, a biopic about the Beat Generation Writers.

 

Drawing from her friendship with Immaculée, Leslie, along with co-writer Edward Vilga, developed “Miracle in Rwanda” through workshops in New York in 2006.  The first full performance of the show took place on February 8, 2007, in Naples, Florida (TheatreZone) and has since been performed across the country and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year to sold-out audiences. 

 

For more information about Immaculée Ilibagiza and the Rwanda genocide, please visit www.lefttotell.com (taken from Immaculée’s New York Times best-seller “Left to Tell”). Leslie Lewis Sword’s profile can be found at www.leslie-land.com.  Additional information about “Miracle in Rwanda” can be found at the production website, www.miracleinrwanda.com. # # ##

 

 

 

TDRZ Productions, Inc. and Faison Firehouse

In Association With

Playwrights’ Arena

Present

 

“Miracle in Rwanda”

 

Based on the true story of IMMACULÉE ILIBAGIZA

Created and Performed By LESLIE LEWIS SWORD

Co-created and Directed by EDWARD VILGA

Executive Producer, TED I. BENITO

Originally Produced by TheatreZone, Naples FL—MARK DANNI, Artistic Director

 

 

The Los Angeles Theatre Center  - The New LATC

514 South Spring Street

Los Angeles, California 90013

 

 

Performances:

 

Thursday, September 11 – 8pm Preview ($15.00)

Friday, September 12 – 8pm Preview ($15.00)

Saturday, September 13 – 8pm Opening Night ($35.00)

Sunday, September 14 – 3pm Matinee ($25.00)

 

Thursday, September 18 – 8pm Performance ($25.00)

Friday, September 19 – 8pm Performance ($25.00)

Saturday, September 20  - 3pm & 8pm ($25.00)

Sunday, September 21 – 3pm

 

Thursday, September 25 – 8pm Performance ($25.00)

Friday, September 26 – 8pm Performance ($25.00)

Saturday, September 27 - 3pm & 8pm ($25.00)

Sunday, September 28 – 3pm Closing ($25.00)

 

Students: $18.00 with valid I.D.

All Tickets Held at Will Call

Groups (25 or more): $20.00/person

 

For tickets and/or reservations, please call 213-489-0994 x107 or visit www.newlatc.com

The New Los Angeles Theatre Center is a facility of the City of Los Angeles and operated by the Latino theater Company. # # #

 

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