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.

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.   

Related Links

Review: The Not So Unexpected Twist in Ayad Akhtar’s Disgraced

Hanging in a Muslim Neighborhood