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Southwestern University to Stage Double-Header of Beirut and Night Maneuver

Southwestern University's Sarofim School of Fine Arts continues their "Black Box Series" with a pair of student-directed shows for the price of one. The dramas Beirut and Night Maneuver will run February 15th through 19th in Heather Hall at the Georgetown university.

Directed by Alexis Gette - a Southwestern University junior will make her directorial debut - Beirut tells the story of a Brooklyn man quarantined in the Lower East Side after testing positive for a deadly, nameless virus. His girlfriend - who has not been infected - makes the dangerous journey across the quarantine line to be with him. The plague has upped the ante on love and introduced them to sacrifice. Written by Alan Bowne, the "Romeo and Juliet of the Boroughs" story stars Nick Kellogg and Katie Moss, contains adult subject matter and is intended for mature audiences.

Howard Korder's Night Maneuver weaves lies and inconsistencies into the relationship of brothers Lou and Tim - and the absent Monty, whose heavy shadow follows them through the play. An underhanded power-struggle between the two ensues, as Lou acts as the rather obnoxious patronizing older brother, and Tim the pathetic and helpless younger brother.

Using mind games and deception, the pair tries to catch the other in a moment of weakness. Southwestern University junior Abraham Ramirez will make his directorial debut with the work, which features actors Chase Brewer and Phil Smith.

Performances run February 15th and 16th at 7 p.m., February 17th and 18th at 8 p.m., and February 19th at 3 p.m. Tickets are $5.

Southwestern University is located at 1001 E. University Avenue in Georgetown. For tickets and more information, call the box office at (512) 863-1378 or visit

www.southwestern.tix.com.

(Nick Kellogg and Katie Moss in Beirut; photo by Kate Steinbach)