The Eyes of Babylon July 28, 2008

Theatre On Broadway and America Junction Productions
presents
The Eyes of Babylon
Written by and starring
Jeff Key
directed by Yuval Hadadi


Preview: August 21* Opens: August 22
Run: August 22, 23, 25*, 26*, 27, 28, 29, 30
September 2*, 3*, 4, 5, 6, 7
7:30 p.m.

August 24*, 30* September 6*, 7*
3 p.m. Matinee Performances

$27.50 General Admission
$22.50 Seniors 60+. Students w/ID’s. Groups 10+
Iraq/Afganistan Vets - Free
*Selected performances – all seats $17.50
$2.00 Service fee per order
Tickets Available at:
303 309 3773 – ticketswest.com – King Soopers
theatregroup.org
Theatre On Broadway at the New Denver Civic Cabaret, 721 Santa Fe, Denver

Sensitivity rating: Use of strong language, sexual content and fairly graphic descriptions of wartime scenes.

"The Eyes of Babylon," Theatre On Broadway at the New Denver Civic Black Box Cabaret Theatre,
August 21 through September 7 (303 777-3292), running time: 1 hours, 30 minutes (no intermission)
(Denver, Co.) Theatre On Broadway is pleased to announce the presentation of the National Tour of the 90 minute, one-man play, The Eyes of Babylon, a true story written and starring Iraq war veteran Jeff Key. Based on the writings in his journal, Key wrote and performs in "Babylon," which was the inspiration for the Showtime documentary, Semper Fi: One Marine's Journey, which aired on the network last year.

From the morning phone call from his mom on Sept. 11, 2001, we follow Lance Cpl. Key through his deployment in Iraq, his struggles of being a gay Marine, to his return to American soil to begin a new life of political activism and philanthropy.
Key, who now lives in Salt Lake City, had a nine-month run of Babylon in Los Angeles and another successful run in San Francisco. After a 1 1/2-year break to work on the documentary, Key is back onstage readying the show for its off-Broadway debut in New York City. Key’s script includes the human side of war — stories about himself and other Marines and stories of his interactions with Iraqis.

On the way to Key's decision, we get an interesting glimpse into the life of our military folk bravely serving overseas. Wearing his camouflage, at times removing his jacket to reveal a tattooed arm, the audience goes with Key into the scorching tent where he sleeps, into the foxholes where he stands guard, and into the cramped armored vehicle that became Key's "home."
The compelling evening of theatre shows Key's continued and renewed love of country, flaws and all, his hope for — and commitment to — a better future and his pride in having served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
"In so fervently and colorfully crafting his all-too-human story, Key demonstrates that the triumphant journey through one's own psyche is perhaps the greatest adventure of all."
--The Hollywood Reporter
"CRITICS' CHOICE: Disarms our defenses with considerable humor and lingering punch . . . A poetic depiction worthy of Allen Ginsberg."
--L.A. Times
"CRITCS' PICK: His performance really soars . . . he'll be an unstoppable force."
--L.A. Weekly
"CRITICS' CHOICE: An important piece . . . sadly conveys the human cost of this unnecessary war."
--San Francisco Chronicle
"The Eyes of Babylon is a brave play that is gripping, poetic and deeply moving."
--RTE Ireland
"[With] genuine compassion, anger and tears, this revelation naturally packs a vital punch."
-- Dublin Metro
"Deafeningly simple yet monumentally epic . . . could some day change the world."
--Backstage West
"A powerful one-man show . . . from humor to tears to outrage in the blink of an eye."
--The Advocate
"I was blown away by Jeff's artistry. He was meant to influence us all."
--Lily Tomlin
"He is magnificent in every way. I was so moved!"
--Jane Wagner
"The Eyes of Babylon is as astonishing to me as any other work of art which appears, fresh, from a highly gifted artist. I was drawn into it, disarmed, and stilled to a state ofpositive shock and awe. As moved as I was throughout the presentation, I didn't weep until later, when the worth and weight of it had sunk in."
--Joan Baez
"It's the actor's blend of humor and pathos that makes his story compelling theater. [An] honest, profane account of his journey of conscience."
--Salt Lake Tribune
"A different night of theater . . . a well-told story . . . beautifully written."
--Deseret Morning News
"Key's perspectives are intensely emotional with a sense of noble reflection."
--The Kentucky Kernel
"It is an artful unburdening of his private struggles. Being himself becomes an exultant act performed on a stage where Key is obviously right at home."
-- Birmingham Weekly