San Jose Rep to Present West Coast Premiere of DISCONNECT, 3/21-4/14

San Jose Rep will leap into the spring season with the truly fresh, thought-provoking play Disconnect. Playwright Anupama Chandrasekhar, a former journalist, was prompted to write the play due to the sense of disconnect she experienced while in India - disconnect between two worlds, disconnect between what is real and not real, disconnect in human relationships, and disconnect in communication. Chandrasekhar will be traveling from India to San Jose Rep to attend the West Coast premiere of her successful play, as well as participating in the Rep's "Insight Night" and other public speaking forums.

"We're thrilled to have Anupama Chandrasekhar come to San Jose Rep to share her voice and experiences on the many topics addressed in her outstanding play," says Rep Artistic Director Rick Lombardo, who is also directing the production. "The story is so timely and relevant for the global economy that we're living in and I'm proud to bring the production to the diverse community of Silicon Valley."

First produced in London's Royal Court, Disconnect made its American debut at Chicago's Victory Gardens and will now take the stage at San Jose Rep, a perfect audience for the Chandrasekhar's intelligent, witty story.

Set in a contemporary call center, the play takes place in Chennai, India. The plot follows the various call center workers, including fortysomething Avinash and young "Supercollector" Ross, as they are renamed and re-branded to chase their "marks," Americans who have failed to pay their credit card bills. In a windowless office, these energetic workers known as the "Illinois team" make calls late into the night utilizing American accents and Americanized names. In order to work toward the alluring American Dream, they target Chicago residents who are crippled in debt from the same lifestyle the workers desire. Roshan, renamed as Ross, creates a central conflict in the play when the "supercollector" gets carried away with fantasies regarding one of his marks in Springfield.

This smart and relevant play depicts the connections and disconnections between economies and peoples on opposite sides of the world with biting humor and candor. Chicago Sun-Times described it as "a play full of fast, brash, funny dialogue," and added that "lurking behind all the comic, instantly recognizable 'office behavior' is a very modern tragedy. And it definitely connects."

Disconnect runs from March 21 to April 14, 2013 with Press Opening Night on Wednesday, March 27 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available at the San Jose Rep Box Office at 101 Paseo de San Antonio or can be purchased online at www.SJRep.com or by calling 408.367.7255.

San Jose Rep is the flagship theatre of San Jose and the only fully professional, non-profit theatre company in the South Bay, presenting seven main-stage productions each year. Now in its 32nd year as a major contributor to the South Bay's cultural community, San Jose Rep's mission is to engage, entertain, and inspire people. San Jose Rep produces innovative theatrical performances that offer fresh perspectives into the human condition, educational programs that promote lifelong learning, and outreach initiatives that benefit our diverse community. For more information, visit www.SJRep.com.

The relevant and timely comic-drama Disconnect will make its West Coast premiere at San Jose Rep! Performances of Disconnect run from March 21 -- April 14, Press Opening Night is Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 7:30pm.

Artistic Collaborators: Rick Lombardo (Director); Yoon Bae (Scenic); Shannon Sigman (Costumes); Daniel Meeker (Lighting); Steve Schoenbeck (Sound); Laxmi Kumaran (Stage Manager); Stephanie Schliemann (ASM)

Cast: Rajesh Bose* (Avinash); Sharone Sayegh* (Vidya); Imran Sheikh* (Ross); Ray Singh* (Giri); Zeenath "Zee" Shareef* (Jyothi)
*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States

Performances will play San Jose Repertory Theatre, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose (Between South 2nd & 3rd Streets). Schedule: Previews: March 21-March 26, 2013; Opens: March 27, 2013; Closes: April 14, 2013; Press Opening Night: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 7:30 pm

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