Christopher Shinn's DYING CITY an intimate play, set in a spare downtown-Manhattan apartment, depicts the role of historic events that transform the lives of three closely observed characters. Infusing his play with references to the war in Iraq and to 9/11 and its aftermath, Shinn explores the loss of a loved one who has died while on military duty in Iraq, and the repercussions of this death on his wife, Kelly, and identical twin brother, Peter.

DYING CITY begins as Peter, agitated and unannounced, barges in on Kelly's solitary evening at home. Kelly has deliberately avoided Peter since the last time they saw each other a year ago at Craig's funeral. Though the military has deemed Craig's death in Iraq accidental, Peter suspects otherwise.

Shinn has structured DYING CITY as alternating encounters. Scenes shift between Kelly and Peter's face-off, as the distraught brother forces his sister-in-law to confront the tragic legacy that connects them, and Kelly's last night with Craig, a farewell marred by bitter accusations and long-simmering resentments.

DYING CITY had its world premiere in Spring 2006 at London's Royal Court Theatre. The Times of London review called it "austere and meticulous... a demanding work but equally rewarding." And Variety described it as an "achingly compassionate new play" by a "gifted" dramatist.

Pablo Schreiber, Tony nominee for LCT's Awake and Sing!, plays both brothers. Rebecca Brooksher plays Kelly. James Macdonald, who directed in London, also directed the play's American premiere here at the Newhouse. This production marked Macdonald's and Shinn's Lincoln Center Theater debuts. Anthony Ward (sets and costumes), Pat Collins (lighting), and Aural Fixation (sound) were the production's designers.

• Rebecca Brooksher , Pablo Schreiber

• By

  Christopher Shinn

• Directed by

  James Macdonald

• Sets and Costumes by

  Anthony Ward

• Lighting By

  Pat Collins

• Sound by

  Aural Fixation