Amir, (Hari Dhillon), an American Muslim, and Emily (Emily Swallow), his beautiful blond wife, have it all. They are a happily married couple living the good life. He is a successful corporate attorney in a predominantly Jewish law firm and she is a gifted artist on the verge of having her work exhibited in an upcoming show. They live in a swanky apartment on New York’s tony upper east side and are very supportive of each other. Their good friends Isaac, (J Anthony Crane) who is curating Emily’s show, and his wife Jory, (Karen Pittman) Amir’s colleague at the law firm, have been invited for dinner in celebration of Emily’s upcoming exhibit. What begins as friends drinking champagne and eating delicious food turns into a blood bath of accusations and recriminations.
Photo by Craig Schwartz.
Photo by Craig Schwartz.
These are the dominant characters in Ayad Akhtar’s mesmerizing 2013 Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “Disgraced.” The playwright strips away socially acceptable layers of behavior revealing, sometimes comically, the darkest side of one’s childhood’s religious training.
The unraveling of this ideal American couple begins with a newspaper story about an imam* who is in prison for his alleged terrorist activities. A team of public defenders, none of who is Muslim, is representing him. Emily, whose art is heavily influenced by Islamic culture, cajoles her husband to become part of the team so that the imam has at least one Muslim representing him. Amir is adamant that it would hurt his career and steadfastly refuses to become involved. He goes on a rant denigrating the teachings of the Koran saying that it was all man-made and had nothing at all to do with God. He cites some passages such as the treatment of a wife. If she errs, first you talk to her. If that doesn’t work, then you punish her. If that doesn’t work, beating her is appropriate. He also comments on the use of veils, which again, he maintains is man-made in order to oppress women. It seems that Amir, gave up any connection between himself and the religion into which he was born and it appears that he likes it that way, at least on the surface. Keeping within the brilliant writing of Akhtar’s play, Amir decides to show up at the courthouse to listen to the proceedings, not intending to become part of the team. However, probably because of his Muslim name, he winds up being listed in the newspaper as a member of the defense team. Thus, the loving, idyllic lifestyle he and his wife have been enjoying, begins to crack.
During the earlier discussion, young Abe (Behzad Dabu) arrives for a visit. His real name is Hussein, which he changed in order not be branded a Muslim. Some pleasant, friendly banter between he and uncle Amir ensues. He playfully questions the young man’s reasons for denying his heritage. One of the outstanding elements in this play is that Abe, along with each of the other characters, has a definite arc with surprising transitions.
The backlash begins at work, with some of the partners questioning Amir about where he and his parents were born. It seems the association with the imam is not something the partners of this law firm particularly endorse. When Amir arrives home, he is quite rattled by the inquisition and is worried about his future, which was his concern from the beginning.
Isaac and Jory arrive for dinner. All is fun and lighthearted, for a while at least. Then, the socially taboo discussion of religion and politics ensues. At first, his position is definitely anti-Koran, but Akhtar delves deeply into the protagonist’s subconscious and awakens training he received at an early age. Fortified with an abundance of alcohol, Amir confesses some true feelings about horrendous acts of terror, which totally shocks Emily and their guests. Tempers rise and something is revealed concerning the relationship between Emily and Isaac, which leads to a shocking, barbaric act.
Akhar’s script, delves into the heart of what he perceives as the truth about a person indoctrinated from a young age on the belief system in the Koran. One might argue that this is probably true of any religion. He walks us through both sides of the issues, which could be summed up as “damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.” The consequences of what seemed to be an innocent act of just showing up, eventually becomes the tumbling down of a life evidently built on a house of cards.
Under the highly skilled direction of Kimberly Senior, each of the actors gives a stunning performance as people with secrets that are revealed in the harshest manner, with the 90-minute play flying by in a flash. The production values are excellent beginning with John Lee Beatty’s scenic design, augmented by Christine A. Binder’s lighting design, Jill BC du Boff’s sound design, and Jennifer von Mayrhauser’s costumes.
“Disgraced” premiered at the American Theater Company in January 2012, was staged at Lincoln Center in October 2012, premiered in London in 2013, and made its Broadway debut in 2014. The play has travelled extremely well and is perhaps, in view of the current state of political affairs, including the rise of a dangerous, racist Donald Trump, is even more timely now as the play illuminates the darkest side of human nature perhaps hidden in the deep recesses of the unconscious.
Mark Taper Forum
135 N. Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Run: Tuesdays – Fridays: 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 2:30 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Sundays: 1:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Closing Date: Sunday, July 17, 2016
Tickets: $25-$85, 213. 628.2772 or, CenterTheatreGroup.org.
*imam: It is most commonly used in the context of a worship leader of a mosque and Muslim community by Sunni Muslims. In this context, imams may lead Islamic worship services, serve as community leaders, and provide religious guidance.
