February 18, 2003

Journey of the Sparrows examines immigrants’ flight to the United States

Playwright Meryl Friedman’s poignant Journey of the Sparrows, a tale of struggle, hope and love within an immigrant family comes to the stage of California State University, Sacramento. Performances are 8 p.m. February 27-28, March 1-2, and March 6-9 in the Playwrights' Theatre. Matinees are 2 p.m. on March 2 and 9.

The play tells the story of 16-year-old Maria, her sister Julia, her brother Oscar and their journey from El Salvador to Chicago in a nailed crate. They must struggle to remain “invisible" in order to avoid arrest and deportation and yet make a new life. Journey of the Sparrows won the 1999 Distinguished Play Award from the American Alliance of Theatre and Education. Theatre professor Manuel Pickett directs the CSUS production.

Tickets are $8 for students, alumni and seniors and $13 for general admission. They are available through the CSUS Ticket Office at (916) 278-4323 or Tickets.com at (916) 766-2277.

For more information, phone the department of theatre and dance at (916) 278-6368. Media assistance is available from the CSUS public affairs office at (916) 278-6156.

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