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Testing the boundaries of neighbors in ‘Native Gardens’

From award-winning playwright Karen Zacarías, comes a contemporary comedy that reminds us: we can’t always choose our neighbors. Rising attorney Pablo and his doctoral candidate (and very pregnant) wife Tania, have just purchased a D.C. home next to a well-established couple with a prize-worthy English garden. But an impending barbecue for Pablo’s colleagues and a delicate disagreement over a long-standing fence line soon spirals into an all-out border dispute, exposing both couples’ notions of race, taste, class, and privilege. Zacarías’ hilariously biting play sees well-intentioned neighbors turned into feuding enemies in a garden party culture clash for the ages.

Featured in the cast is PTC alum Tito Livas (“Fireflies,” “A Christmas Story – The Musical)” as Pablo Del Valle. Since last working at PTC, Livas appeared in the new musical “Destiny of Desire,” also penned by Zacarías, at San Diego’s Old Globe.

Making their respective PTC debuts are Katya Collazo (Off-Broadway’s “Mrs. Warren’s Profession,” the American premiere of “The Da Vinci Code” at Ogunquit Playhouse) as Tania Del Valle; Michael Kostroff (HBO’s “The Wire”) as Frank Butley; and Kelly Coffield Park (an original cast member of Fox’s “In Living Color”) as Virginia Butley.

The Utah premiere of “Native Gardens” runs from Jan. 12-27 at Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre. Tickets are available at PioneerTheatre.org or by calling PTC’s Box Office at 801-581-6961.

How to experience PTC as a member of the U community 

  • 20% off all performances for University employees.
  • University students are eligible to purchase $5 rush tickets (2 tickets per student ID) one hour prior to performance. Advance tickets are available for Mon-Thurs performances at a 50% discount.
  • K-12 students are eligible for half off tickets for Monday-Thursday performances.
  • Students can learn more about these offers at PioneerTheatre.org/Students.

For more information about season subscriptions or University community discounts, contact Pioneer Theatre Company’s Box Office at BoxOffice@PioneerTheatre.org, call 801-581-6961, or visit the outside will call window in person at the Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre on campus.