Rachel Leslie, left, and James Lloyd Reynolds

Intended as a reunion with an old college friend, the visit spirals quickly into chaos, duplicity, and tragedy as Rwanda descends into the maelstrom of a bloody civil war. Dramatic storytelling at its very best, this gripping play is directed by Robert Moss, who is back this season as the Hangar's Interim Artistic Director. "When I first read the play I was struck by its intimacy and engrossed by the mystery of the American not understanding the circumstances around him. It reminded me of Orson Wells' Third Man and I knew it was the type of storytelling Ithaca audiences expected from the Hangar," said Moss.

This provocative socio-political thriller is sure to inspire conversation, especially in an election year. Award wining playwright J.T. Rogers brilliantly-crafted this play that has been described by Time Out Magazine as a "smart, complacency-rattling drama." The Overwhelming premiered at the National Theatre in London in May 2006. An American production played in the fall of 2007 at the Roundabout, an off-Broadway venue in New York City.

Jack Exley (James Lloyd Reynolds, left) and his son, Geoffrey (David Kenner, right) try to see eye to eye in the in the Hangar Theatre’s adult thriller -- The Overwhelming. (Photo by Thomas Hoebbel Photography)

The Overwhelming, sponsored by Schlather, Geldenhuys, Stumbar & Salk Attorneys at Law and media sponsor Newschannel 36, runs from June 4th through the 14th. For tickets call the Ticket Center at Clinton House at (607) 273-4497 or visit www.hangartheatre.org. The Hangar Theatre is located in Cass Park on Route 89 at the Marina entrance. The Overwhelming contains adult language, content and themes.

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