Mosque4Mosque
Written by Omer Abbas Salem
Directed by Sophiyaa Nayar
November 17 - December 17, 2022
Tickets
This production has closed.
Location
The Den Theatre
1331 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
Learn more about The Den…
About The Show
Ibrahim is an average 30-something queer Arab-American Muslim who is constantly being reminded how unmarried he is by his relentlessly caring immigrant mother, Sara. Having helped raise his smart, popular, cheerleading hijabi younger sister, Ibrahim has always been comfortable sinking into the background. Normal job, quiet life, easy men. But on the precipice of finding what could be his first real relationship, Sara feels compelled to take Ibrahim’s future into her own hands by attempting to find the perfect man for him to marry. Mosque4Mosque is a comedy about a normal Muslim American family that asks us to wrestle with what we believe normal to be.
Mosque4Mosque was written in 2019 through Jackalope Theatre’s Playwrights Lab with Calamity West. It was workshopped and performed virtually through the Criminal Queerness Festival and Dixon Place in July 2020, directed by Sharifa Elkady. It was selected to be Steppenwolf Theatre’s SCOUT Development play for 2020 and received a 30-hour workshop and a fully produced reading in March of 2021. This world premiere production at About Face Theatre will receive dramaturgical and community engagement support from Silk Road Rising.
Media
Production Photos
Behind the Scenes Videos
Panel Discussion: Putting It Together: Muslimness, Queerness, and Joy
From our friends at Silk Road Rising comes a beautiful and extensive conversation with panelists Imam Daayiee Abdullah (Masjid Nur Al-Issiaah), Dr. Manal Hamzek (New Mexico State University), Imam Trina JAckson (Atlanta Unity Mosque), Dr. Tasneem Mandviwala (University of Chicago), and Omer Abbas Salem (playwright), moderated by Silk Road Rising Co-Executive Artistic Director Jamil Khoury.
Reviews & Awards
“This is a play about identity and belonging, highlighting universal struggles that everyone can relate to…. In an era where Arabs and Muslims are either invisible or perceived as problems, Mosque4Mosque demands for us to be seen as whole.”
–Chicago Reader
“It is Salem’s witty writing style that shines throughout this production… Gardenier’s heartwarming performance as Sara is an enjoyable representation of the hospitable, lovable, and sometimes quirky nature of Arab, Muslim, and immigrant mothers.”
–Chicago Reader
“The play has sharp dialogue and plenty of situational humor… The play offers a picture of resilience, but not in a romanticized sense — it’s honest about human flaws”
–Chicago Tribune
“The cast is impeccable… Omer Abbas Salem is funny and provocative as Ibrahim… Gloria Imseih Petrelli is a standout as Lena. This young Chicago-born performer is truthful and authentic… Sophiyaa Nayar’s well-paced, excellently guided production makes Salem’s story just about as universal as it can be.” HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
–Chicago Theatre Review
Artists
Cast
- Ibrahim Omer Abbas Salem
- Sara Rula Gardenier
- Lena Gloria Imseih Petrelli
- James, Jessie Jordan Dell Harris
- Karim, El_Bagzaddy, Lawyer Rom Barkhordar*
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union
of professional actors and stage managers
Crew
- Director Sophiyaa Nayar
- Associate Director Nadya Naumaan
- Dramaturg Abhi Shreshtha
- Casting Director Catherine Miller
- Scenic Designer Steven Abbott
- Costume Designer Jos N. Banks
- Sound Designer Eric Backus
- Intimacy Designer Kirsten Baity
- Lighting Designer Conchita Avitia
- Properties Designer Lonnae Hickman
- Stage Manager Logan Jones*
- Asst. Stage Manager Anna Margevich
- Asst. Stage Manager Rebecca Walker
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union
of professional actors and stage managers