Plamen Pencheff Mullah |
Catherine Stegemann Andrea/Nabila |
Nawaf Gasem Majid |
Caron Buinis Mildred |
Gustavo Obregon Hamed |
Jonas Grey Rob |
Anu Bhatt Anahita/Anita |
Kamal Hans Da'ud |
|
by Keith Anwar Directed by Lavina Jadhwani September 20 - October 30, 2011 Produced in association with Rasaka Theatre Company |
|
A World Premiere Event! Winner of Polarity Ensemble Theatre's 2010 Dionysos Cup Festival of New Plays, Kabulitis gives an intimate look into the life of an American woman married to an Afghan and living in Kabul, Afghanistan. The story was inspired by the lives and stories of the playwright's parents and family. It gives an insider's perspective into life, politics and religion in Afghanistan. But most of all it is the story of an elderly American woman in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease who is haunted by her memories. "Given America's involvement in Afghanistan, the play could not be timelier," said Polarity Artistic Director Richard Engling. "It is an important play for our understanding of some of the issues there, but it is also a beautiful, personal, family drama. And for us at Polarity, it is a vital tribute to Keith Anwar to help his work live on. He was an impressive talent, sadly cut short. He lived only a short time after the Dionysos Cup." Mr. Anwar's father was a native of Afghanistan who with his Brooklyn-born wife took part in an ill-fated attempt to promote secularism and modern thinking in mid-20th century Afghanistan. In Afghanistan his parents received numerous death threats, in part because his mother refused to yield to demands she wear a veil — a stance her husband supported. Eventually they were forced to leave the country. Kabulitis was directed by Lavina Jadhwani, Artistic Director of Rasaka Theatre Company, an ensemble dedicated to providing a platform for the artistic expression of South Asian artists. |
Informative Links: Preview (video) and reviews. Creating the sets for Kabulitis. Historical significance of Kabulitis: Mid-century Afghanistan Historical significance of Kabulitis: 9/11. Press materials and production photos. About the book within the play. Lavina Jadhwani, Director Topher Soltys, Production Manager Beth Bruins, Stage Manager Andy Kepka, Assistant Stage Manager Chuck Palia , Set Designer/Tech Director Dayna Shrader, Lighting Designer Yonit Olshan, Costume Designer Andrew Dallas, Sound Designer Richard Engling, Script Dramaturg Aoife Carolan, Cultural Dramaturg Lana McKinnon, Wig & Makeup Designer for Rasaka: Lavina Jadhwani, Artistic Director Kamal Hans, Managing Director for Polarity: Richard Engling, Artistic Director Maggie Speer, Managing Director |