From L to R: Gretchen Mol (Emily), Hari Dhillon (Amir), Karen Pittman (Jory) and Josh Radnor (Isaac). Photo credit: Broadwaybox.com
The return of Ayad Akhtar’s Pulitzer Prize (2013) winning play created a buzz with its new cast and bravado performance. I added it to my list with high expectations. Plays that address current perils and self-realization will always top my list.
The play starts with a seemingly normal and happy NYC couple, in their posh apartment. Amir, played by Hari Dhillon, is a successful high-charging lawyer who is seemingly living his American dream. His wife Emily, played by Gretchen Mol, is a budding young artist. From the outside anyone could easily idealize this couple, their relationship and careers.
You start to notice the small cracks in this perfect picture when Amir negatively refers to his Pakistani and Islamic background. It’s his position, especially on Islam, that is starkly different from that of his American wife Emily, who embraces Islam. Amir’s view on the religion changes throughout the play unveiling a much darker position. The bulk of the play is a conversation at the dinner party hosted by Emily and Amir with their guests, power-couple Isaac (Josh Radnor) and Jory (Karen Pittman). Conversations veer from small office gossip and art talk to provoking current political and social issues. The whole time, you feel like the fifth dinner guest, cringing and hoping for the dinner to end. The performance is in your face. The cast’s energy was magnetic and captivating; you are left wanting more, at least I did, my high expectations were met.
This one is a must-see!!!
xoxo
Liz Lizo
