“Disgraced” (Arena Stage)

May 2, 2016July 19, 2016 Emma1 Comment

Introduction

Ayad Akhtar has composed an exacting tale for our turbulent times. His script demands that I bring forth the lyricism of a clarifying order from the chaos of cultural misunderstanding that is the woven fabric of this remarkable play, while being ever vigilant in spotlighting genuine insight into the complexity of perception in what it is to be Muslim and American. –Timothy Douglas, director (Arena Stage)

As my regular readers know, I’ve written about this play before; I heard about it nearly 2 yrs ago, then read the play. I had NEVER read anything like it before! One of my NYC gal pals went to see it during its Broadway run in 2014 (wow, was I jealous of her then)! On SUN, May 1st, I went to see the new production at Arena Stage (w/ one of my gal pals).

Synopsis

Amir Kapoor, a Pakistani-American, is a successful lawyer living on the Upper East Side of Manhattan w/ his beautiful/blonde artist wife (Emily). With the hope of becoming a partner at the firm around the corner, it seems like nothing can stop him. But when he hosts a dinner party for an African-American co-worker/friend (Jory) and her Jewish husband (Isaac), the conversation quickly turns to everything Amir has spent his adult life trying to suppress (race, religion, etc.) All these characters, as well as Abe/Hussein (Amir’s college-going nephew), are confronted with the struggle between culture and identity. Below is a trailer for the show:

Review & Analysis

SPOILERS: Don’t read from this point if you don’t want to know details from Disgraced.

pareja — Portrait of Juan de Pareja (1606-1670) by his master, Diego Velazquez

After a waiter is incredibly rude to her husband (offstage), Emily (who has been focusing recently on Islamic art) decides to paint a portrait of Amir, inspired by the one of Juan de Pareja. (FYI: He was a Spanish painter of Moorish descent, born into slavery. He was a member of the household of painter Diego Velázquez who freed him in 1650.) Amir doesn’t understand why she’s making such a big deal, but she comments:”He didn’t SEE you!” That waiter didn’t realize what a success Amir was- he just saw his brown skin.

The couple are interrupted by the son of Amir’s older sister, Abe Jensen (who has recently changed his name from Hussein Malik); this is a source of humor for Amir. The young man, who was born in Pakistan, has come to plead w/ his uncle re: representing an imam (“a harmless old man who didn’t do anything wrong.”) This man is in FBI custody accused to raising funds for Hamas- Amir wants nothing to do w/ it (besides, there are two OTHER lawyers on the case). When Amir pointedly comments that the imam is “not comfortable w/ Jewish lawyers,” Abe insists that’s not the issue (the imam liked Amir when they met before). Emily says: “Just TALK to him!” (She is the one who advocates for Abe, when Amir ignores his phone calls in the story.) Amir’s eventual decision to appear in court, beside the other lawyers, will have repercussions on his career.

Emily excitedly shows her painting (reminiscent of tile work found in Andalucía from the Moorish period) to a curator from The Whitney, Isaac (who is married to Amir’s co-worker, Johri). This painting, white and blue w/ a hint of red, is hung on the mantle of the apartment’s living room (the sole set for this play).

The crux of the action occurs a few months after during the dinner party. Amir is already in a terrible mood (Emily doesn’t realize why) and drinking more than usual (Scotch) when the guests arrive earlier than expected. Emily has made appetizers, fennel salad and pork tenderloin. She wants to make a good impression b/c she wants to be in a new show which Isaac is putting on at his museum.

WE are the new Jews! -Amir explains to Johri

Jory and Amir drink and talk re: work- one of the partners (Mort) has been away for SOME time, traveling, and meditating. There will soon be a new partner, BUT Amir doubts that it will be he or Jory. Hey, why don’t they start their OWN firm!? (We get a little background on how WASP lawyers didn’t want to deal w/ mergers and acquisitions in the past.)

More drinking, more jokes- this humor here is biting, dark, controversial- perhaps even to the MOST open-minded viewer/reader. (This was inspired by a dinner party that Akthar had back in 2006.) Eventually, all hell breaks loose- these civilized folks are ALL revealed to be dysfunctional, duplicitous, and (no shocker) prejudiced! But Amir is the tragic figure- he loses the MOST in the end. In my opinion, when he strikes Emily, he is NOT only hitting his wife (who is most close to him, yet cheated w/ Isaac), BUT also hitting back at the symbol of white/upper-class patriarchy (though she is female). There is NO excuse for domestic violence, BUT it does happen (even among very cultured/intelligent couples).

I was skeptical when I heard Nehal Joshi was going to play the lead. He just did not look old enough, first of all. Secondly, I’d seen him last year as Sancho in Man of La Mancha (STC); he did a good job w/ the comedy, singing, and dancing. Lastly, the words that I’d read didn’t make much of an impact from ANY of the actors (aside from the actress who played Jory). One young lady, who had ALSO read the play and attended the same night as I did, tweeted that she “hated it” (but liked the story). I wouldn’t go THAT far- these actors need to get more comfortable w/ the text and project that confidence onstage (in future).

The audience was (as usual) quite elderly, liberal, and white (esp. in the orchestra section where we were sitting). I spotted a few desis (South Asians) here and there, along w/ some African-Americans (mainly women). The Q&A session after the play (w/ a local imam working on his Ph.D.) was fun and informative; he is associated w/ Georgetown University. He came to the play w/ his four teen kids; they sat very quietly in the same row as me and my friend. (This material isn’t geared to their age group, but the themes are relevant.) I think this play is worth reading, BUT I can’t recommend this production. No fear, there are MANY theaters (around the US) that will be putting on Disgraced this season.

Hanging in a Muslim Neighborhood

Game of Thrones: Season 6, Episode 1 (“The Red Woman”)

April 26, 2016April 27, 2016 Emma1 Comment

SPOILERS: Don’t read this review if you have not yet seen or don’t want to know details from the Season 6 premiere of Game of Thrones.

Castle Black:

I saw him in the flames fighting at Winterfell. -Melisandre says despondently re: Jon Snow

I can’t speak for the flames, but he’s gone. -Davos replies solemnly

The wait is over… BUT Jon Snow is STILL dead! Davos (Liam Cunningham) finds the body, perhaps wondering why there isn’t MORE blood on the ground. Edd (Ben Crompton) and a few other men (who were loyal to Jon) lock themselves inside (the Lord Commander’s chamber?) and think of what action to take next. Melisandre (Carice Van Houten) is nearby (in an interior room); she doesn’t come off as her usual self- arrogant and bossy- having suffered setbacks in S5 (incl. the loss of Stannis).

Winterfell:

Your pain will be paid for 1,000 times over, I wish you could be here to watch. -Ramsay says to the dead body of Myranda

Ramsay (Ioan Rheon) takes some time to mourn Myranda before declaring that her remains will be fed to the hounds (YIKES)! Roose (Michael McElhatton) tells his bastard that there will be NO future for Ramsay if he doesn’t get Sansa (a noble gal from Northern fam) back and produce an heir. We know from S5 that Walda is already pregnant (possibly w/ a son, according to the local maester).

The ep really kicks into gear when “I’m no lady” Brienne (Gwendolyn Christie) and trusty squire/sidekick Pod (Daniel Portman) come to Sansa (Sophie Turner) and Theon’s (Alfie Allen) rescue. “Brienne is, at this point, the most heroic character in Game of Thrones who actually gets things done… she’s motivated pretty much entirely by the desire to be honorable and find someone worthy to protect. She has no ambitions of her own, no greed, no selfish agenda,” as TV critic Charlie Jane Anders wrote. I esp. liked how Pod had to help Sansa w/ her side of the oath.

Kings Landing:

I don’t know where she came from. She was nothing like me. No meanness, no jealousy – just good. I thought if I could make something so good, so pure, maybe I’m not a monster. -Cersei comments re: Myrcella to Jaime

Cersei (Lena Headey) runs out to see the Dornish ship, but soon sees that the boat coming toward shore carries Jamie (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and a golden shroud (covering the coffin of Myrcella). In the next scene, she looks defeated, depressed (having lost 3 kids, as the witch prophesied MANY years back), and tired. Surprisingly, Jaime is the one that vows revenge (though he doesn’t get the BEST lines here).

Dorne:

He is weak. Weak men will no longer rule Dorne. -Ellaria declares re: Trystane (while Doran lies dying)

Doran (Alexander Siddig), his personal bodyguard, and a messenger are killed by Ellaria and Tyene in the water gardens. Trystane is brutally killed by Obara’s spear (while a bemused Nym looks on) in his chamber onboard a ship. It ALL happened so fast! I REALLY wanted to see more of Doran.

Meereen:

You can’t fight an enemy you don’t know. -Tyrion explains to Varys

Why are the streets SO quiet!? The smartest guys in the realm have a walk and talk. They come upon a mother begging w/ her baby; she misunderstands Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) when he speaks in Valyrian, so Varys (Conleth Hill) has to help out.

On a wall under “Kill the Masters” someone has scrawled “Mhysa [meaning Dany] is a Master.” Are the Sons of the Harpy former slaves or former slaveholders (masters)? Hmmm… I think they were slaves; after all, they brutally/quickly killed Hizdahr in S5 E8.) We see a small group of former slaves who have gathered in an alley where a man dressed in a red robe is preaching re: the Lord of Light. A few moments later, there is smoke coming from the harbor- ALL the ships have been set on fire.

On the road (w/ a Dothraki horde):

Dany (Emilia Clark) assumed that the Dothraki would be respectful towards her- WRONG! When the horde that captured her reach Khal Moro, she learns that widows of khals must live out their lives in Vaes Dothrak (“the city of the horse lords”). Um, why didn’t Dany know this BEFORE!?

Castle Black:

Mutton. I’d like some mutton. I never was much of a hunter. -Davos provides a light moment when telling Thorne what he’d like for his journey

You haven’t seen her do what I’ve seen her do. -Davos tells Jon’s friends in the Night’s Watch re: Melisandre

What to make of that final image of Melisandre transformed into an old woman? Was she a crone in disguise all along? Or had she lost her faith in the Lord of Light? As Steve Buja wrote in his recap: “Given the blood nature of her god, perhaps one of the components to her witchcraft is her own essence. Whatever happens in this game, Melisandre is the turning point…”

SELECTED VIEWER COMMENTS (from NYT.com recap)

He’s only mostly dead. [This one’s for The Princess Bride fans!]

Regarding Jon Snow’s fate, I think it won’t be determined until episode 3/4, as I think Dan and Dave want to develop other Stark plot lines, and delve into Arya, Sansa, and Bran.

My current theory: Jon Snow’s spirit is inhabiting Ghost. But he needs a viable human body to warg into, and relatively soon, since to remain wolf too long risks losing the human to the wolf. Melisande is somehow going to donate her vitality to Snow’s corpse and heal it, so Jon Snow can warg back into it. This won’t be easy, of course. A trace of the wolf is likely to remain.

GOT is increasingly a womans’ world, at least plotwise. The men fail to rescue, and at best, like Tyron, strive to serve.

My guess is this new Khal is going to be killed by Drogon, who will obey Dany (for once). This will cow all of the Dothraki because they believe in strength. If anything would make a khalasar follow a woman it would be if she showed she can command dragons. My feeling is that Dany will then lead this khalasar back to Mereen, where she’ll clean out the Sons of the Harpy in short order.

Danaerys being sent to a place reserved for widows of Dothraki leaders. Smells to me like a place where angry women warriors decide to kick ass. Everywhere Danaerys goes she ends up with an army.

The Melisandre revelation was a bit of a wow, and we got some brief but quality time with Davos and Jorah (whose faces are much more interesting than those of many of the beautiful younger actors). I even felt a drop of pity for Cersei.

Deadwood: Season 1, Episode 1

March 30, 2016March 30, 2016 EmmaLeave a comment

HBO made SO much money off of The Sopranos, the network decided to take a chance on two lavish, intricate other series- Rome (read my review) and Deadwood. This Western drama series starts off unlike any other (that I’ve seen)- w/ the hanging of a horse thief! As the show’s creator David Milch explained, an “unhorsed man was akin to a dead man in the Old West.” Before he can start his new life in Deadwood, South Dakota, Montana marshall Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant, who I first discovered and LOVED on Damages) has to administer justice. There is a large, angry crowd outside his office, men w/ torches ready to storm in and attack the prisoner. Milch said that Bullock (whose name means “young bull”) “hated the mob,” so he decided to swiftly take things into his own hands.

Bullock (along w/ his pal/business partner, Sol Star) travels on a wagon to Deadwood; the two men plan to set up a hardware store. Sol (John Hawkes) is Jewish, comes from a business family from Vienna, Austria, though he was raised in Ohio. This is Hawkes LONG before he made a name for himself on Winter’s Bone (Jennifer Lawrence’s breakout film); he was nominated for an Oscar for his role.

Al Swearengen (Ian McShane), a saloon owner and defacto leader of the camp community of Deadwood, has his own share of troubles to handle after one of his prostitutes, Trixie (Paula Malcomson), kills a regular customer who had the nasty habit of hitting her when drunk. Doc Cochran (Brad Dourif, who some of you will recognize from the LOTR series) comes to examine the wound- it will be fascinating to study the man’s skull. I liked Dourif as the villainous Grima Wormtongue, but I quickly grew to LOVE his character on this series!

Wild Bill Hickok (Keith Carradine, the biggest name actor in S1) arrives at the camp w/ his loyal companions, Jane (Robin Weigert, most recently seen in Jessica Jones) and Charlie Utter. It’s obvious that Jane (also a fan fave- including mine, along w/ Doc) is in love w/ Bill, though he has recently married another woman. As for Charlie, he serves as a friend, counselor, and manager to Wild Bill. On the road, Wild Bill’s entourage comes across a blonde family (w/ Norwegian accents) who are headed back home to Minnesota; Deadwood we gather was too rough and tumble for them. We will find out exactly WHY in no time!

Wow, did you see HOW fast Seth got some of the men organized after learning of the murder of the Norwegian family! He may be a socially awkward man of few words, but he definitely has a STRONG sense of right and wrong. Wild Bill (another man of action) goes along w/ Seth; he is another fan fave. (Carradine wore blue contacts, which were quite uncomfortable, for his role as Wild Bill.)

Othello (Shakeapeare Theater Company)

March 21, 2016March 21, 2016 Emma2 Comments

Though an active and talented member of Venetian society who has started to assimilate, he is never fully accepted—and it makes him all the more susceptible to the machinations of Iago, the one person he feels that he can trust.

…Iago’s hatred of Othello stems from his own jealousy. He resents the fact that Othello promoted Cassio over him, believes that Othello slept with his wife and cringes at the idea that a foreigner—whom he considers inferior—has the success and recognition that he has been denied. It is a personal vendetta, and he makes the audience complicit.

-Katherine Peterlin (STC’s Young Professionals Consortium)

As my regular readers know, Othello is my favorite Shakespeare play. The themes of this play are relevant today (as we heard in the video above). I saw it back in 2011 at the Folger; you can read that review here. I went to see this new adaptation, starring Pakistani-American actor Faran Tahir, at STC on SUN, FEB 28 (7:30PM); it was just 5 days after the play opened. I had a seat in the 3rd row (rare for me); three 20s gals sitting behind me had free tickets (how lucky)! Sitting beside me were a middle-aged couple who also enjoyed the show a lot; the husband made some comments that proved that his wife was the Shakespeare expert, but he enjoyed it, too. As for the desis (South Asians) in the audience, I didn’t see more than a handful (including myself).

Some of you may be thinking: Isn’t Othello supposed to be black (as in African-American)? But remember that in The Bard’s time, “black” may have had a different meaning. “Renaissance representations of the Moor were vague, varied, inconsistent, and contradictory,” as E. A. J. Honigmann, editor of The Arden Shakespeare, noted. “The term Moor referred to darker-skinned people in general, used interchangeably with similarly ambiguous terms such as African, Somali, Ethiopian, Negro, Arab, Berber, and even Indian to designate a figure from Africa (or beyond). Various uses of the word black are insufficient evidence for any accurate racial classification; that could simply mean swarthy,” Honigmann concluded.

MoorishAmbassador_to_Elizabeth_I

Abd el-Ouahed ben Messaoud ben Mohammed Anoun, Moroccan ambassador to the court of Elizabeth I (some consider him as the model for Othello)

Original Line: She gave me for my pains a world of… sighs.

Changed Line: She gave me for my pains a world of… kisses.

Above is one of the lines that was changed from the original (I noticed it right away); it’s more suited to the WWI setting of this play. This is the kind of adaptation that grows on you, though I quickly noticed that the lighting was very well-done (from the 1st scene). Iago (played by Jonno Roberts, a New Zealand native) is a very strong villain; he’s matter-of-fact, yet funny. One of his tactics is to tightly embrace several of the individuals (Rodrigo, Othello, and Cassio) who he has ensnared in his web. Since Roberts is tall, broad, and muscular (like a modern-day military man), this comes off as potentially scary. I especially liked Iago and Othello’s scenes; the actors obviously have good chemistry and a great command of the text. All the supporting actors did well, especially the two who played Desdemona and Emilia.

There were two moments in this play that I thought were particularly good. One was Othello grabbing Iago, pulling him down, and choking him (when the villain first accused Desdemona of unfaithfulness). The other scene was when Othello went into a fit of epilepsy, falling to the floor, and shaking for several seconds (everyone leaned forward in their seats). I was sure that this play would get better w/ time; it has been extended through April 2. Go check it out if you have a chance!

Oscars 2016 Fashion

March 1, 2016March 20, 2016 Emma1 Comment

Kerry Washington

The star of ABC’s hit Scandal was one of the FEW high profile black actresses who didn’t boycott the Oscars this year (#OscarsSoWhite); however, at least one fashion critic said that this gown may actually be a sort of protest (noting that the leather top reminds the viewer of Beyonce’s Formation performance at the recent Super Bowl). We know that a woman w/ Kerry’s figure and confidence can wear almost anything and pull it off, BUT this dress is NOT quite worthy of the red carpet.

Rachel McAdams

Hmmm… I LOVE this color, but the Spotlight actress’ gown comes off as too skimpy (on the sides) and simple for the Oscars. And that train could’ve been hazardous!

Cate Blanchett

We know that the star of Carol ALWAYS has interesting gowns (made by Armani), BUT the color is too light (for her complexion). A few style experts commented that there is a BIT too much going on- feathers made into flowers AND the sparkly beading. I thought it looked good from afar.

Rooney Mara

I liked the intricate leaf detail on this gown, BUT that’s about it. The exposed stomach and the lower half of the dress are NOT working for her; but, the Carol actress is still young.

Charlotte Rampling

The 45 Years actress (who hails from England) was recently in the press for her controversial comments re: the lack of diversity at the Academy Awards. However, you can’t deny her talent and beauty (though NOT conventional for Hollywood standards). Rampling is tall, wiry, and has the type of face that commands attention (often rivaling her male co-stars). You can see her in the 2nd season of UK series Broadchurch (now available on Netflix). She recently turned 70, and this simple/conservative gown suited her well (esp. in close-up).

Charlize Theron

I LOVED what one fashion expert said of this simple gown: “This is a case where fitness trumps fashion.” It seems TOO simple for the Oscars, but the now 40 y.o. statuesque actress can wear anything and look fierce (as we saw in Mad Max: Fury Road).

Jennifer Lawrence

This is a GREAT dress- I esp. love the top! Jennifer’s film Joy may NOT have been seen by a very wide audience, BUT this dress is spot on for the Oscars.

Brie Larson

Everything about this gown is PERFECT- the cut, color, and embellishments! Plus, she won Best Actress- the best accessory!

Mindy Kaling

I saw this dress on Mindy’s Instagram, and it looked elegant. One the red carpet, it comes off as too plain. I like her simple hairdo and the makeup is great (as usual). I LOVE how Mindy has created opportunities for herself in Hollywood- she’s obviously a hard worker and funny lady, BUT this is TOO serious of a gown.

Priyanka Chopra

The star of ABC’s Quantico was the MOST Googled celeb of the night- WOW! This dress looks FAB on the Indian actress; it reminded me of Halle Berry (back when she was a red carpet darling). Recently, I reviewed Priyanka’s latest Bollywood film, Bajirao Mastani.

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy

Did you know this director now has 2 Oscars (for A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness (2015) and Saving Face (2012)!? I need to see these docs still. Sharmeen is wearing a simple dress w/ a long, intricate jacket over it (she is Pakistani); at formal desi events all over the world, you will find styles similar to this one. Her Oscar is the perfect accessory!

Knightleyemma

Film reviews & more from a Bangladeshi-American/female lens

Category: Actors

“Disgraced” (Arena Stage)

Game of Thrones: Season 6, Episode 1 (“The Red Woman”)

Deadwood: Season 1, Episode 1

Othello (Shakeapeare Theater Company)

Oscars 2016 Fashion

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