By Miguel Gastellum
Fresno State’s University Theatre presents the Fresno premiere of “Sanctuary City” by Martyna Majok and directed by Gina Sandí-Díaz.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. March 15-16 and 19-23 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 17, at the Dennis and Cheryl Woods Theatre on campus. Tickets are $17 for adults; $15 for Fresno State faculty, staff, alumni, and military and $10 for all students. Children under 5 are not permitted.
In post-9/11 Newark, NJ, two teenagers brought to America as children become each other’s sanctuary from harsh circumstances. When G becomes naturalized, she and B hatch a plan to marry so that he may legally remain in the country and pursue the future he imagines for his life. But as time hurtles on and complications mount, the young friends find that this act challenges and fractures the closest relationship either has ever had.
“Sanctuary City is a story about friendship, love and loss,” says Sandí-Díaz. “We follow two friends and a shared dream of legalizing their immigration status as they navigate a world that is increasingly hostile towards immigrants post 9/11. Set between the years of 2001-2006, the context and time period are significant to the story because options such as The Dream Act or same-sex marriage are not available in this country at the time. The characters are trapped in a system that criminalizes them and robs them of their humanity, and as audiences, we are left to wonder, ‘How much would I risk for love?’”
The production features performances from Christopher Ortiz-Belcher, Claudio Laso and Paulina Marin-Contreras.
“Sanctuary City” promises to captivate audiences with its raw emotion, thought-provoking themes and unique form of storytelling. Through Majok’s skillful writing, the production sheds light on the human side of the immigration debate, inviting audiences to empathize with characters whose lives are often overlooked or marginalized.
Fresno State no longer requires masks to be worn indoors, but based on updated guidance from public health experts, the University highly recommends that all students, faculty and staff, regardless of vaccination status, wear a surgical grade or KN95 mask indoors. Doors open 30 minutes before curtain. Latecomers will not be permitted, and there are no refunds or exchanges. The box office is open from 12 to 4 p.m. on weekdays and one hour before each performance, and it accepts cash, check, or credit card payments.
Parking is free for shows on Friday through Sunday night. Parking permits are required on Tuesday through Thursday night shows and can be purchased at dispensers in parking lots on campus.
For more information, contact the box office at 559.278.2216 or universitytheatre@csufresno.edu.
The College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State 