Finding the Perfect Man

Mosque4Mosque

Playwright Omar Abbas Salem’s story is a tale about home. It’s about three generations of an immigrant Syrian, living in the Chicago suburbs, each filled with angst and personal drama. Their collective story is filled with a lot of very funny adult humor, as well. Ibrahim is the central character of this two-act comedy/drama, now enjoying its World Premiere at the Den Theatre, in their intimate Bookspan venue. Salem’s play is about relationships and making mature, well-thought choices in life…and the consequences for giving in to witless, self-centered decisions that affect more than one individual.

Ibrahim tells his story, sometimes as an omniscient narrator but mostly as the primary participant. He’s a successful professional, a gay, Muslim American, Generation Z man, sharing his mother’s Chicago home with his high school-age sister, Lena. A proud Syrian immigrant with her green card, Sara is nothing if not a caring, perhaps overbearing mother. At times, a bit uncomfortable with Ibrahim’s unconventional lifestyle, she acknowledges that her son’s sexual predilection isn’t going to go away. So Sara’s determined, as any good Syrian mother would be, to find Ibrahim the perfect man to marry and take care of him. 

Ibrahim cooks dinner, cleans the house and looks after his mother and teenage sister, Lena. But, Sara thinks that Ibrahim seems lonely, even though he may have just met a good-looking young man who could be his first real relationship. James is a handsome young lawyer who works near Ibrahim. They’ve been on dates, have shared sexual relations and both Sara and Lena have met and approved of him…sort of. While Lena really likes James, Sara still thinks there’s a Muslim man out there somewhere who would be a more perfect match for Ibrahim. 

So she creates an online profile for her son at a website called “Mosque4Mosque.” In his bio, Sara posts Ibrahim’s high school photograph and some dated personal information, which leads to a lot of twisted and misguided feedback. Somehow these perverted responses intrigue Ibrahim to answer the older men, flirting and teasing with their affections. That’s just the beginning of a series of calamitous incidents that effects his relationship with James. Lena’s participation in cheerleading and having to wear the required hijabi and Sara’s decision to return to her family home in Syria add fuel to the dramatic conclusion of this play.

Activist and author, Sophiyaa Nayar has directed this production alley-style, with the audience polarized, seated on opposite sides of the stage. She’s guided her production with a firm hand, a clear head and a knowing eye. Ms Nayar says that in Salem’s works, the playwright “dismantles stereotypes about Arabs, Muslims and immigrant families.” This Chicago playwright “reimagines what our relationship with religion, queerness and family could look like.” Ms Nayar has inspired her cast to portray real people, not pigeonholed character types. The result is a story in which the audience will see themselves in these characters and find many similarities in the situations common to their own lives.

Scenic designer Steven Abbott has created a simple, yet versatile, setting that’s centered around the family kitchen. The large dining room table, which also becomes a desk where James and Ibrahim work together, as well aS other spaces, is the focus of the set and anchors each scene. With purposeful shifts in lighting and sound, designed respectively by Conchita Avitia and Eric Backus, the audience is always aware of each new locale, although the set never really changes. Jos N. Banks demonstrates once again that he’s a talented costume designer who knows how to create an authentic wardrobe appropriate for his varied cast of characters. And, a special shoutout to intimacy choreographer Kirsten Baity for guiding the actors in their portrayal of realistic, romantic interludes.

The cast is impeccable. Omer Abbas Salem, who also wrote this fascinating play, is funny and provocative as Ibrahim. But the young actor also takes us on his journey of trying to have his cake and eat it too. The fact that he doesn’t fully realize the mistake he’s made until the last minute, when everything seems to be coming down on top of him, makes Ibrahim’s story that much more melancholy and moving. Mr. Salem creates a strong character who audiences will remember for long time to come. 

Seen primarily on television, Rula Gardenier is now a Los Angeles based actor. Portraying Sara, she plays this strong immigrant woman with an iron hand. As the mother of a rebellious teenage daughter and young gay son, Sara is always trying to readjust her views, in order to become a modern day American woman. But try as she might, it’s impossible for her to completely erase some of her Syrian upbringing. 

One of the most appealing and exciting young actors in this production, Gloria Imseih Petrelli is a standout as Lena. This young Chicago born performer is truthful and authentic as a high school student worrying about her grades, her SAT scores, trying to fit in with her new American friends by joining cheerleading, and showing her mother and brother that she’s a modern teenager, with an open mind. Ms Petrelli, who directors should seriously consider casting in their future productions, is simply wonderful in this production.

Handsome, talented Jordan Dell Harris is terrific, as always, in this production. His honest portrayal of James/Jesse is perfect for the style of this production. Harris was a standout in Windy City Playhouse’s immersive production of the Jeff Award-winning “The Boys in the Band.” He’s worked in theatres all over Chicago and this new role is simply another superb performance that audiences will enjoy.

 Rom Barkhordar plays three roles: The Lawyer at Immigration, Ibrahim’s smarmy internet interest and Karim Phillip Algiers, an author and professor. The actor appeared as the director in Writers Theatre’s production of “Wife of a Salesman,” as well as at Lookingglass, the Goodman, Silk Road Rising, Victory Gardens and A Red Orchid. He shows his versatility in this production playing three very distinct roles.

Although the dramatic conclusion of this play is slightly foreshadowed at the start, it’s all the love and humor that the audience will remember, long after the curtain falls. Sara’s unfortunate situation, however, will put a face on the horrible way immigrants were treated during the last administration. Sophiyaa Nayar’s well-paced, excellently guided production makes Salem’s story just about as universal as it can be. Audiences should see themselves clearly in these fascinating, realistic characters. They’re all portrayed with honesty and humor—Americans with the same hopes, dreams and ambitions much like our own. As the plight of Ibrahim, James, Sara and Lena unfold, we laugh and even cry a little at their pluck, resilience and how each character’s choices and mistakes will ultimately affect their lives.               

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Produced in partnership with Silk Road Rising, this production is presented November 17-December 17 by About Face Theatre at the Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago

Tickets are available in person at the Den box office, by calling 773-697-3830 or going to www.aboutfacetheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.