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Jory (Megan Van Dyke) and Isaac (Nichiolas Szoeke) chat with Emily (Kate Glasheen, back to camera).
Below: The set, representing an upscale New York apartment, was designed by Nicholas Ponting.
incident light
Amir (Suhail Arastu) pours wine for his wife, Emily (Kate Glasheen, second from right) and their guests, Isaac (Nicholas Szoeke) and Jory (Megan Van Dyke).
Photos:
Daniel Baumer
March 22, 2017
Although Ayad Ashkar's Disgraced premiered in 2012 and took the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for best drama, its present-day relevance is uncanny. In a world where Islamist extremism and terrorism are subjects of routine conversation, or religion and identity are becoming more and more muddled, a play about an outspoken foursome driven to bitter gut reactions – and worse – during a casual dinner party is as absorbing as it is disturbing.
Thanks to the compelling production
at the Playhouse Cellar, under the
taut, well-considered direction of
David Rinear, audiences in the
intimate space are drawn into the
action and invariably find much to
discuss on the way home.
Much to discuss? Consider the
players, all of whom reveal unpleasant
truths as the wine flows and
inhibitions disappear. The scene,
courtesy of designer Nicholas Ponting,
is a sleek, modern New York City
apartment. The hosts are Amir, an apostate Muslim corporate lawyer hoping to become a partner in his prestigious firm, and his wife, Emily, a gifted WASP painter whose latest obsession is Islamic art and its history. There's Isaac, a knowledgeable Jewish art curator who plainly loves to debate, and his African-American wife, Jory, an ambitious colleague of Amir's. Let these four tackle the traditionally taboo subjects of religion and politics and the consequences are explosive.
Suhail Arastu is absolutely arresting as Amir, who appears to be polite and reasonable until his various inner demons begin to surface. He has always claimed that his parents were Pakistani instead of Indian and while he has accepted the trappings of wealth, he struggles with a bewildering connection to the heritage he tries to deny. We see it at his home, but it comes to a head at his office when he is mentioned in a newspaper article as having supported (not necessarily represented) an imam arrested for allegedly raising funds for terrorists.
Kate Glasheen creates a lucid, believable Emily, who has no perceptible ethnic concerns, but is plainly as ambitious as her husband, although more subtly so. She is on the verge of a career breakthrough, encouraged by her art dealer, Isaac. Nicholas Szoeke gives a nicely textured portrayal of Isaac, who is especially enthusiastic about Emily's use of Islamic ideas and heritage in her geometrically styled works; he's also given to insults after a few drinks.
Megan Van Dyke effectively conveys Jory's wit and intelligence, while summoning just the right notes of anger during a pivotal set-to near the conclusion.
There is also the brief, but important role of Amir's nephew Abe (well-played by Luis Legaspi), another immigrant Muslim trying to assimilate in a post 9/11 culture, who changed his name from Hussein. Earlier, he had joined Emily in encouraging Amir to support the imprisoned imam.
With this many minorities and potential ethnic conflicts, the dinner party soon becomes something of a train wreck. Lots of button-pushing, angry admissions, denials and recognition that embracing another culture or religion does not necessarily negate one's innate heritage.
Mr. Akhtar's brilliant script is so tightly written and complex that it almost erases contrivance or doubts that a party with such a volatile, diverse group of “friends” actually could take place. Yet it works with this riveting, well-crafted production.
Diane Windeler
Disgraced runs through April 9 at the Playhouse Cellar Theater. Call (210) 733-7258.
Playhouse SA Cellar: Disgraced, by Ayad Ashkar
The world as will and ID
Amir (Suhail Arastu) with his nephew Abe (Luis Legaspi, left).
www.theplayhousesa.org