Displaying items by tag: Roxane AssafLyne
Laced with Gallows Humor, ‘The Shroud Maker’ Looks at Life in Gaza as It's Really Led
“The Shroud Maker” is a look into the world of Hajja Souad, an 84-year-old Palestinian seamstress, plying her artisanal trade amid the rise and fall of violence in Gaza City adjacent to Israel. Her specialty: shrouds used in Islamic funerals to wrap the deceased.
Unfortunately for the world, Souad’s business is good, and demand trends offer a depressing timeline of decades of violence in what had been Palestine. Boiling down a lengthy history, in 1948 the British relinquished control in the region pursuant to a U.N. mandate that partitioned Palestine to create a place for modern-day Israel. Surrounding Arab states launched a war against the U.N. action, and in 1948 the Arab League established a state for Palestine, which along with Israel claimed Jerusalem as its capital. And the rest is more war-striven history.
A businesswoman and expert in crafting finely stitched shrouds, Souad has seen it all over the years, and is played ably by Roxane Assaf-Lynn. The 70-minute monologue by noted Palestinian author Ahmed Masoud is drawn loosely from a real individual. Souad shares the gallows humor that is a familiar companion to those whose lifework is death.
Souad is also a survivor, someone who has suffered personal loss as one by one, over the years, every member of her own family became collateral damage in someone else’s wars. Her non-stop descriptive chatter tells her own epic story—against the backdrop of that of the people of Palestine.
Set in Gaza City, the opening scene finds Souad mid-way through an animated phone conversation, where she is warned yet again that she is in danger and should evacuate her home. This time it’s because of a limited Israeli incursion into Gaza, intended to destroy border tunnels through which contraband flows, some of it the very cotton she uses for shroud making.
“I’m not going anywhere….Besides your bloody tanks are everywhere,” Souad yells into the phone. “Your freaking army will have to kill me first.” Is she just a cranky, unreasonable old woman?
We learn she is much more than this in the course of the play, and Souad voices other characters in her life: her younger self, her father, an adopted son, and his wife, and Ghassan, their child. Two more characters from her past also appear, all of them voiced by Souad, who at 11, was removed from her farm (along with her parents) to make way for a kibbutz.
During the period before Israel was formed, her father Mahmoud was hired by the British High Commissioner Sir Alan Cunningham, as a gardener for his estate—the same Sir Cunningham whose British Army forcibly removed Mahmoud from their farm. Lady Cunningham takes a liking to Little Souad, and enculturates her as a British girl with piano lessons and training in posh British English. Essentially she is wantonly stealing Souad from her parents to replace her own child, now lost. But Lady Cunningham also teaches Souad to sew, and in her later life, Souad applies these skills to producing traditional Palestinian garments, including shrouds.
The production by the International Voices Project is nicely directed by Marina Johnson with set by Jonathan Berg-Einhorn. Ahmed Mousad’s script leans a little more toward literary—something to be read—than to stage delivery, though he generally weaves exposition in effectively. The story comes across, though the emotional side is not fully expressed. Even the best actor would be challenged, especially the demand to voice numerous characters. But the story is so authentic and compelling, coming as it does from those living in Gaza, that is is one the must be heard
“The Shroud Maker” runs through April 8 at Chicago Dramatists, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m.
Artemisia’s 13th season kicks off with, GOODS, at their new home in The Fine Arts Building, July 8th -July 28th
28 May 2024 in Upcoming TheatreArtemisia announces it’s 13th season will open with a immersive soundscape production of GOODS by Lauren Ferebee, directed by Erin…
Compelling One-act Opera Is Based on Amazing Story by Tribune Reporter Howard Reich
28 May 2024 in Theatre in ReviewChicago Opera Theater premiered a one-act opera, “Before It All Goes Dark,” in two performances over Memorial Day weekend at…
Three Crow's 'The Danish Play' a funny, tragic, gripping, relevant tale
25 May 2024 in Theatre in ReviewI love stories about World War II, particularly about survivors of the Holocaust and the Camps. And I love stories…
Lyric Opera of Chicago's Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center Celebrates 50 Years with New Ensemble and Signature Events
23 May 2024 in Upcoming TheatreCelebrating its 50th anniversary season, The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, Lyric Opera of Chicago's premier artist-development program, is proud to…
Steppenwolf Announces Rachel Bloom: Death, Let Me Do My Show
22 May 2024 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf Theatre is pleased to present Rachel Bloom's sell-out off Broadway hit Death, Let Me Do My Show, playing a limited engagement August 14 -…
'Viva La Mort' A Novel Update to 1960s Film Falls Short in Script
22 May 2024 in Theatre in Review“Viva La Mort: A Play With Songs” mines the 1956 Swiss novel “The Visit” by Friedrich Durrenmatt that came to…
Marriott Theatre Brings the Heat with New Summer Production of Beehive: The 60's Musical - Opening June 26
22 May 2024 in Upcoming TheatreMarriott Theatre brings the heat this summer with a rockin' tribute to the music of the 1960s, with BEEHIVE: THE 60'S MUSICAL. Directed…
Review: 'English' at Goodman Theatre
21 May 2024 in Theatre in ReviewLanguage may be the backbone of human communication, but there’s a lot that happens between the lines. Sanaz Toosi’s 2023…
A Compelling Vision of Desperation and Injustice: Lifeline Theatre's 'Native Son'
21 May 2024 in Theatre in ReviewLifeline Theatre’s production of "Native Son," directed by Ilesa Duncan and adapted by Nambi E. Kelley from Richard Wright’s seminal…
BEETLEJUICE is Now Playing
21 May 2024 in Upcoming TheatreIt's showtime! Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce that BEETLEJUICE, the edgy and irreverent Broadway smash hit musical comedy, is now playing…
TUTA Theatre announces Midwest Premiere of Martin Crimp’s acclaimed experimental drama ATTEMPTS ON HER LIFE. June 5 – July 14
21 May 2024 in Upcoming TheatreAn artist. A terrorist. A child. A brand new car. A porn star. These are all the things that Anne…
Review: Hubbard Street Dance's Spring Series: OF JOY at Harris Theatre
20 May 2024 in Dance in ReviewThere are no words. Well, obviously that’s not true cos I’m about to say a whole bunch of words –…
Drury Lane Theatre presents The Audience, starring Janet Ulrich Brooks, starting August 28
20 May 2024 in Upcoming TheatreDrury Lane Theatre continues its 2024/25 Season with The Audience. Masterfully blending the personal and the political, The Audience gives an extraordinary glimpse into…
THE CHOIR OF MAN to return to Chicago's Apollo Theater this fall
20 May 2024 in Upcoming TheatreInternational sensation The Choir of Man today announces a second season following the completion of its initial run on May 26, 2024.…
Free Joffrey Ballet performance features world-class mixed repertory program, at Pritzker Pavilion on June 16
20 May 2024 in Upcoming DanceThe Joffrey Ballet announces the programming for the Joffrey for All free performance, which will feature a mixed repertory program in Millennium Park…
Review: Gods & Monsters at Theatre Wit
20 May 2024 in Theatre in Review“James was deeply aware of the anguish associated with denying others their authenticity; His famous Frankenstein wasn’t a murderous monster.…
So Be-Coming: Death Becomes Her Brings Magic and Dark Comedy to Cadillac Theatre
20 May 2024 in Theatre in ReviewIt’s often quoted in reviews that we are unworthy of such beauty or splendor the arts and humanities afford us.…
Review: Black Sunday at Timeline Theatre
19 May 2024 in Theatre in ReviewTimeLine Theatre has entranced me for years with its historically- and politically-significant plays, riveting and educational – just my cup…
Midsommer Flight to present free production of Shakespeare’s ROMEO AND JULIET, June 28 – August 4 in six Chicago parks
17 May 2024 in Upcoming TheatreMidsommer Flight, a company that has brought free performances of Shakespeare's plays to Chicago Park District parks since 2012, will…
Steppenwolf Presents LITTLE BEAR RIDGE ROAD - June 13 – July 21, 2024 - World Premiere!
15 May 2024 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to conclude its 48th season with the world premiere of Little…
LEAGUE OF CHICAGO THEATRES HIGHLIGHTS SUMMER 2024 PRODUCTIONS
14 May 2024 in Upcoming TheatreChicago continues to produce some of the most exciting work in the country this Summer, offering a wide variety of plays…
Token Theatre to produce new play directed by Emmy winner Alan Muroaka
14 May 2024 in Upcoming TheatreToken Theatre, Chicago's Asian American theatre company, announces the company's first full production, ZAC EFRON, written by Artistic Director David Rhee, co-written by Managing…
Review: Murder in the Cathedral at City Lit Theater
14 May 2024 in Theatre in ReviewI arrived at City Lit Theater’s MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL expecting a heavy, serious, doubtless thought-provoking but rather intimidating major…
Porchlight Shares Dates and Parks for its Free, Summer Concert Series: BROADWAY IN YOUR BACKYARD, June 6 - August 6
13 May 2024 in Upcoming TheatrePorchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce the return of its free summer concert series Broadway in your Backyard, now in its…
Dance and Sing to the Beat of Life with ‘Last Stop on Market Street’
13 May 2024 in Theatre in ReviewDespite the fact that I have never read the Newberry Award-Winning children’s book called Last Stop on Market Street, I…
'Poor People! The Parody Musical' is rich in laughs
12 May 2024 in Theatre in ReviewI’m amazed that it’s been 18 years or so since I first saw a Hell in a Handbag production. Though…
Review: The Thanksgiving Play at Steppenwolf Theatre
10 May 2024 in Theatre in Review“Together we created this nothingness,” says Audrey Francis in Steppenwolf’s production of Larissa Fasthorse’s ‘The Thanksgiving Play’. Hot off its…
Bramble Theatre Company presents Festival of Unfinished Work June 26 - June 30
10 May 2024 in Upcoming TheatreBramble Theatre Company, is proud to announce the third annual Festival of Unfinished Work at the new Bramble Arts Loft located on the second…
HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD coming to James M. Nederlander this Fall
10 May 2024 in Upcoming TheatreBroadway In Chicago is excited to announce that individual tickets for the world premiere of the first ever touring production…
Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents The Enigmatist
09 May 2024 in Upcoming TheatreChicago Shakespeare Theater presents The Enigmatist, an immersive and captivating experience of illusions, puzzles, and cryptology, written and performed by renowned magician…
Latest Articles
-
Artemisia’s 13th season kicks off with, GOODS, at their new home in The Fine Arts Building, July 8th -July 28th
Written by Buzz Center StageArtemisia announces it’s 13th season will open with a immersive soundscape production of GOODS by Lauren Ferebee, directed by Erin Nicole Eggers. Performances are July 8th - July 28th, 2024 at the Little Studio in the Fine Arts Building at… -
Steppenwolf Announces Rachel Bloom: Death, Let Me Do My Show
Written by Buzz Center StageSteppenwolf Theatre is pleased to present Rachel Bloom's sell-out off Broadway hit Death, Let Me Do My Show, playing a limited engagement August 14 - 24, 2024 in the Downstairs Theater, 1650 N. Halsted St. in Chicago. A special Steppenwolf member pre-sale begins Tuesday, May 21 at…
-
Compelling One-act Opera Is Based on Amazing Story by Tribune Reporter Howard Reich
Written by Bill EslerChicago Opera Theater premiered a one-act opera, “Before It All Goes Dark,” in two performances over Memorial Day weekend at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago. Semi-staged with chamber orchestra conducted by Joseph Mechavich, the compact work was commissioned by Seattle-based… -
Three Crow's 'The Danish Play' a funny, tragic, gripping, relevant tale
Written by Sarz MaxwellI love stories about World War II, particularly about survivors of the Holocaust and the Camps. And I love stories based on real people. So naturally I was drawn to THE DANISH PLAY, which Canadian playwright Sonny Mills (he/him/they/them) wrote about…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.