The work was commissioned by Long Wharf Theatre during the 2005-06 season with support by the Irving & Susan Laurie Foundation and the Altria Foundation. The world premiere is co-produced with Seattle's Intiman Theatre.

This world premiere features Julie Boyd, Katie Rose Clarke, James McMenamin, John Proccacino, Cynthia Lauren Tewes and Daniel Zaitchik.

Playwright Craig Lucas has long taken on some of the most important social issues of contemporary culture in such works as Singing Forest, The Dying Gaul and the landmark film Longtime Companion.

"Craig is, without question, one of America's very best living playwrights and it is a thrill to be presenting his new work at Long Wharf Theatre," Edelstein said.

Prayer For My Enemy tells the story of a young American soldier who comes home from the war in Iraq to find his best friend - and first love - in a relationship with his sister and his parents struggling to repair a relationship strained by alcohol and atrophy.

While recovering from a terrible head wound, the soldier strains to reunite with his family. An encounter with a troubled woman named Dolores shifts the family dynamic in a way none of them could imagine.

"Craig writes about what it's like to be alive at the moment. Craig reflects his moment better than any other writer I know," Edelstein said. "Craig is totally engaged with living."

Lucas takes an intimate look at the modern struggle between doing what is best and what is just. In the end, the words we say, the thoughts we don't and the prayers we send up - even for our enemies - can remind us what it means to be human. -- www.longwharf.org