Oud Player on the Tel

Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning Theater, NY, January 2024

Produced as part of the Meet the Playwrights program

One of four plays selected out of 132 applications for this program, this play was accepted before the events of October 7, 2023 in Palestine/Israel, and reconsidered, considering how deeply painful the area and issue of Israeli Palestinian relations had become. Ultimately, the piece was presented as part of a larger conversation, including a panel comprised of Palestinian Rasha Abdel Latif, Israeli Michelle Koch and interfaith worker Dr. Sarah Sayeed.

Set in the foothills of Jerusalem in 1947, the play follows a family of Jewish refugees from Europe, after the destruction of World War II.  Amir, the unofficial leader of the small Palestinian village of Bayt Jiz, welcomes Melke, the patriarch of the arriving Jewish family, and they become fast friends.  Amir invites Melke into his home, teaches him the intricacies of growing olives and assures him that things will not be the same for him and his family here, as they were up in the northern lands.

The world is changing, however.  Amir's nephew Mahmud discovers Herb Gordon, a famous American new used car dealer, and takes his name and assures that he will bring motorcars to the ancient land.  Unbeknownst to him, Melke's son Moritz, recently arrived from Switzerland, has discovered the same thing -- and has, as well, changed his name to Herb Gordon.  When they meet, they both declare that the land is not big enough for two Herb Gordons.

Moritz falls in love with Mahmud's sister.  The two Herb Gordons argue.  The cold winds of history blow, but Amir -- a Sufi mystic -- assures that history can be changed, or at the very least ignored.  Melke and his friendship grows stronger and deeper.  

But the winds of history cannot be staid.

Cast

Mark Quiles* (Amir)

Mark Peters* (Melke)

Zach Canter (Moritz)

Emile Aslan Lacheny (Mahmud)

John Druzba* (Stage Directions)

Directed by Jesica Garrou

* Member of Actors Equity Association

Oud Player on the Tel” wants you to play nice with tough truths after Oct. 7 article in Epicenter-NY