Salvation Road: World Premiere Play Explores Impact of Cults on Family Members Left Behind
Features Post-Show Discussions With Former Cult Members
Philadelphia, PA--- More than 30 years after Jonestown, the word “cult” continues to conjure images of mass suicide and inexplicable allegiance to a mad leader---events so bizarre they seem more the stuff of fiction than reality. But for thousands of idealistic young people around the world---and the families they've left behind---the cult experience is no fantasy.
SALVATION ROAD, a new play opening Sept. 4 at The Walnut Street Theatre Independence Studio on 3, explores this phenomenon. Inspired by true life experiences of former cult members, SALVATION ROAD is the story of a cynical teenager who is goaded into searching for his sister after she cuts the family off because they are "a toxic threat" to her new-found faith. Part road trip, part mystery, SALVATION ROAD is a poignant look at the way families can be devastated by a member's involvement in high-demand religious groups.
Running for 7 performances through Sept. 12 as part of the 2009 Philly Fringe Festival, SALVATION ROAD is written by Maryland author D.W. Gregory and directed by Aaron Oster, of Philadelphia. Performances on Sept. 4 and Sept. 12 will feature post-show discussions with former cult members and experts on the cult experience.
Jayanti Tamm, who spent her formative years in an ashram and later recorded her experiences in the critically acclaimed memoir, 'Cartwheels in a Sari' will be featured in a panel discussion following the Sept. 12, 2 p.m., performance.
Other panelists are Joe Szimhart, an intervention specialist, and David Clark, a thought reform consultant.
A post-show panel Sept. 4 will feature Patrick Ryan, founder and former head of TM-ex, the organization of ex-members of Transcendental Meditation, and Joseph F. Kelly, a Philadelphia thought reform consultant.
"I first began studying the cult problem in 1980 after I defected from a large and deceptive New Age sect," said Szimhart. "Since that time I have interacted with thousands of cult-affected folks through intervention, lectures, media contacts, and workshops. The problem of deceptive and manipulative groups and gurus has not gone away. If anything it has grown considerably."
"A lot of people think of cults as something that only an unbalanced person would get involved in," Gregory said. "Really, it's something that's attractive to idealistic people, a lot of them young people who are sometimes just inexperienced or naive."
"SALVATION ROAD cuts a fine line," Gregory added. "It wrestles with the question of free will. If we have it, do we have the right to give it up? That's one character's dilemma at the start, but because the story is told through the eyes of a sometimes clueless kid, there's a lot of humor in the telling."
The play is a production of The Art Riot Theatrical Co., a Washington, D.C., company making its Philadelphia debut. The Art Riot previously produced the sell-out comedy, YOU DON'T KNOW DICK, as part of the inaugural D.C. Fringe.
LISTINGS INFORMATION: What: SALVATION ROAD, a world premiere Who: A production of The Art Riot Theatrical Company When: Fri. Sept. 4 at 8 p.m., followed by a panel with former cult members. Sat, Sept. 5 and Sun. Sept. 6 at 2 p.m.; Thu Sept. 10 and Fri. Sept. 11, at 9 p.m. Sat. Sept. 12 at 2 and 6:30, with panel following the 2 p.m. performance.
Where: Walnut Street Theatre Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St. Philadelphia. Tickets: $15, at the door or through the Live Arts and Philly Fringe Box Office, [(215) 413-1318] or online at http://www.livearts-fringe.org/box-office-ticket-info.cfm
FESTIVAL INFORMATION The Philadelphia Live Arts Festival & Philly Fringe runs from September 4 - September 19, 2009. The Festival Box Office will open for phone [(215) 413-1318] and walk up sales [location TBA] on August 24th. You may also purchase tickets online, at www.livearts-fringe.org. Festival Guides, which the include dates, times, and venues for all performances for both Festivals, will be available mid-August at all Festival venues, and other locations throughout the city.
If you're a member of the press and would like to know more about our production or the artists involved, fill out the form at the bottom of the page and we'll get back to you that day.
Or call 202-550-6964 if you're on deadline.
More information about the playwright is available at www.dwgregory.com.
TO SEE THE SHOW
Salvation Road opens Sept. 4. We hope you'll join us on opening night.
But if you can't make our opening, we welcome members of the press at any performance. You can obtain a press pass directly from the Fringe Box Office or you can fill out the form at the bottom of the page, and let us know which performance you'd like to attend and whether you need 1 ticket or 2. All we ask is that if you write anything about us -- you give us permission to repost it here. THANKS FOR CHECKING US OUT
