University of Texas at Austin Presents THE EDGE OF PEACE, 2/1-10

The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance presents the world premiere of Suzan Zeder's The Edge of Peace, February 1 - 10 at the B. Iden Payne Theatre. Set in the last days of World War II, a young soldier from a small Illinois town has been declared missing in action. Buddy, the soldier's little brother, refuses to believe what seems inevitable. Told through the visual poetry of sign language, the town's deaf postman shares the story of one community struggling to make sense of a world at war.

For playwright and UT professor Suzan Zeder, The Edge of Peace is about home and the challenges of leaving home, coming home, and staying home when the danger and adventure of the world is far away. Her cast of compelling characters, including "Tuc," played by Chicago-based deaf actor Robert Schleifer, and "Nell Hicks," played by veteran actress and UT professor Franchelle Dorn, takes the audience on a touching journey of loss, hope, and healing.

Zeder has been recognized nationally and internationally as one of the nation's leading playwrights for audiences of all ages. Her plays have been performed in all fifty states, Canada, Great Britain, Japan, Australia, Germany, Israel, Ireland, and New Zealand. She is the three-time winner of the Distinguished Play Award from the American Alliance of Theatre and Education.

The final play of Zeder's acclaimed trilogy (Mother Hicks, The Taste of Sunrise), The Edge of Peace is produced in partnership with nationally acclaimed Seattle Children's Theatre (SCT). Director Linda Hartzell (artistic director of SCT) describes Zeder's masterpiece as a "a drama, mystery and adventure rolled into one. Audiences will fall in love with these characters and their stories. The play really demonstrates the interdependence of community members during times of crisis."

ASL interpreted performances of The Edge of Peace are on February 3 at 2:00 p.m. and February 9 at 8:00 p.m. To arrange seating for an ASL interpreted performance, patrons should contact the Department of Theatre and Dance in advance at 512-232-5301.

For more information on The Edge of Peace, please visit www.JoinTheDrama.org.

The B. Iden Payne Theatre (300 E. 23rd St., Austin, Texas 78712) is located in the F. Loren Winship Drama Building (WIN) at the intersection of 23rd Street and SAN JACINTO on the University of Texas campus. For a map of the campus, please visit texasperformingarts.org/visit/maps_direction.