Pioneer Theatre Company (located right here on campus) has brought Utah audiences art that lightens the heart and challenges the mind since 1962. Over 60 years later, PTC is staying true to form and is currently presenting the world premiere of “A Distinct Society,” written by one of the country’s most sought-after playwrights, Kareem Fahmy. It’s a play that follows the events of a group of vastly different individuals in the midst of the 2017 travel ban—which affected many Muslim families around the world. The ban lasted more than three years, with politicians, lawmakers and activists working to end it, or increase its severity. This sets the stage for Fahmy’s exciting new work.
Kareem Fahmy is an award-winning playwright and director who works frequently around the country. Productions of his plays “Dodi & Diana” and “American Fast” are currently happening across the country, and “A Distinct Society” will also enjoy multiple productions after PTC. While this is the first play he has written to be produced at Pioneer Theatre Company, he is no stranger to PTC or the U, having directed “A Christmas Carol” and “Fireflies.”
The cast is made up of world-class actors, many of whom you may have seen on TV and national tours—each of them are making their respective PTC debuts with “A Distinct Society”: Vaneh Assadourian (audiobook narrator of “Son of the Salt Chaser” by A. S. Thornton,) as Shirin, Corey Jones (“The Book of Mormon”) as Bruce, Abdullah Khalil (“S.W.A.T.” on CBS) as Peyman, Carrie Paff (“About Alice”, Theatre for a New Audience) as Manon, and Emmet Smith (“New Amsterdam” on NBC) as Declan. You can now check them out in this crucial and timely world premiere, right here at the U!
“A Distinct Society” runs now through Feb. 11. Check out PioneerTheatre.org for details about “A Distinct Society” and the remaining plays and musicals of the season, which include Utah premieres of “What the Constitution Means to Me” and “The Prom.”
University students, faculty and staff save at PTC
- 10% off all performances for U employees.
- University students are eligible to purchase same-day $5 rush tickets (two tickets per student ID) one hour before curtain.
- Students are also eligible to purchase half-price tickets ahead of showtime.
- K-12 students are eligible for half-off tickets for Monday-Thursday performances.