Theater Up Close returns with ‘The Pillowman’

 Miami, FL – September 10, 2024 – The Adrienne Arsht Center (@arshtcenter) and Zoetic Stage (@zoeticstagemia) are proud to kick off the 2024-2025 Theater Up Close season with Martin McDonagh’s haunting dark comedy THE PILLOWMAN. After wildly successful productions of Frankenstein in 2021 and Dracula in 2018, the Miami-based theater company returns to the horror genre with this thought-provoking drama that blends horror, comedy and psychological tension. Audiences will experience the drama up close and in the round in the Carnival Studio Theater.

 Tickets to THE PILLOWMAN are $56 and $61* and may be purchased now at arshtcenter.org, or at the Arsht Center box office by calling (305) 949-6722.

“Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman is a modern-day classic, celebrated throughout the world as a play that is as haunting as it is challenging and funny,” said Zoetic Stage Artistic Director Stuart Meltzer. “I am not only excited to open the 2024/25 Theatre Up Close series with this award-winning play, but to also celebrate Zoetic Stage’s 15th anniversary season!”

With echoes of Stoppard, Kafka and the Brothers Grimm, this modern classic centers on a writer in an unnamed totalitarian state who is being interrogated about the gruesome content of his short stories and their similarities to a series of child murders. The result is an urgent work of theatrical bravura and an unflinching examination of the very nature and purpose of art.

THE PILLOWMAN features an all-local cast of award-winning actors, including Ryan Didato, Michael McKeever, Gabriell Salgado and Seth Trucks. For full cast bios, click here.

The Theater Up Close series gratefully acknowledges the founding support of Adrianne and Jerry L. Cohen.

About Us

Set in the heart of downtown Miami, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is committed to welcoming and connecting ALL people to the arts, to the Arsht Center and to each other. Our stages are alive year-round with artists from around the world, innovative programming from our resident companies and local arts partners, free community events that reflect Miami’s unique identity and arts education experiences for thousands of Miami children each year.

 Since opening in 2006, the Arsht Center, a 501C3 non-profit organization, has been recognized as a catalyst for billions of dollars in new development in the downtown area, a leader in programming that mirrors South Florida’s diversity, a host venue for historic events and Miami’s hub for arts education.

Each year, we serve more than 60,000 young learners and offer more than 100 culturally diverse and inclusive education programs — many enhanced by the Arsht Center’s relationship with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, local teaching artists and Miami-based arts organizations.

The Arsht Center is also a home stage for three resident companies — Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet and New World Symphony — and a launch pad for local artists to make their mark on the international stage. Our 300+ events each year include the Center’s Signature Series of classical, jazz, Broadway, local theater and much more. We present a robust series of touring Broadway musicals direct from New York, the largest jazz series in South Florida, a major annual Flamenco Festival and an award-winning Miami-based theater program. In addition, our Family Fest, Free Gospel Sundays, CommuniTEA LGBTQ+ celebration and Heritage Fest are among dozens of free events that bring together people from all corners of our community. For more information, visit arshtcenter.org.

About Zoetic Stage

Zoetic Stage was founded in 2010 to create fresh, bold interpretations of contemporary plays and musicals, and is dedicated to enhancing South Florida’s national artistic profile by producing regional premieres and developing new works to become part of the American stage repertoire.

 In 2020, Zoetic Stage was named the Best Theater Company by the Miami New Times. The theater has been nominated for an impressive 140 Carbonell Awards (of which 15 were for Best Production of the Year) and won 42, including six for Best New Work and four for Best Production of a Play or Musical. Zoetic Stage productions have received 48 Silver Palm Awards for Outstanding Achievement.

Zoetic Stage is an Associate Member of the National New Play Network, a member of Theatre Communications Group and the South Florida Theater League.

Visit www.zoeticstage.org for more information.