Separated by continents, an estranged father and son reunite over Zoom. From their respective kitchens in Ramallah and New York City, they recreate a cherished family recipe and struggle to bridge the gap between them, one ingredient at a time. Told through the intimacy of a video call, with humor and humanity Amir Nizar Zuabi’s new play explores the unpredictable nature of grief and the delicacy of family connection across geographical and generational divides.
ON-DEMAND
APRIL 13-25
WORLD PREMIERE
DECEMBER 5, 2020 – JANUARY 3, 2021
Written by Amir Nizar Zuabi
Directed by Evren Odcikin
with
Ramsey Faragallah
Yousof Sultani
Set Designer
Mariana Sanchez
Costume Designer
Dina El-Aziz
Lighting Designer
Reza Behjat
Sound Designer
James Ard
Video Systems Designer
Ido Levran
Dramaturg
Joseph Haj
Livestream Manager
Rachael Danielle Albert
Idea Lab
Join us December 20, 2020 at 2PM EST on Facebook Live or Youtube for a joyous pre-show conversation with Hannah Khalil, Lameece Issaq, Jamil Khoury, Nora El Samahy, and Pirronne Yousefzadeh, moderated by Catherine Coray! Part of PlayCo’s Idea Lab series.
Press
“Faragallah is a convincing lion in winter whose natural strength and confidence have been laid low by time and personal loss. Sultani carries the character’s sophistication effortlessly, allowing us to readily picture him as the lonely, frightened child from the old country. Each pitches his performance to a realistic level, such that one can forget they’re actors in performance and share their pain when the emotional floodgates burst open.” – New York Stage Review
“Performed live from the two actors’ kitchens, This Is Who I Am is a moving, meditative study of a father and son reconnecting after experiencing intense grief. The play, directed by Evren Odcikin, effectively utilizes its digital medium to contrast the distance and closeness between the characters. While the actors perform side by side, they are miles apart physically and emotionally. The only thing connecting them is a recipe for Fteer.” – Theatrely
“This Is Who I Am, with its heft and moments of beauty, helps me understand more fully the power of theater. Not because Zuabi chose to tell some incredulous story, but because he chose to tell an ordinary one. One centered on a family, full of misunderstandings, fierce love and disappointment held together with the smells and sounds of home, shared pain, a familiar dish and old memories cast in a new light. A light that points the way forward.” – WBUR
Our Restaurant Partners
Restaurants have long been a gathering place for lovers of theatre, a second home where we can trade stories and dreams with one another. While we may not be able to come together in person to share a pre-show meal or a post-show drink (or three!), we hope to recreate that sense of community with one another through supporting our partner restaurants for this production. Enjoy!
Qanoon is guided by Chef Tarek who’s on a personal journey to celebrate the culture of Palestine, his love of food, and taking care of people by serving the dishes he grew up eating at his mother’s, Rasmyee, table in NYC. Everyone who eats at Qanoon becomes a member of Tarek’s extended family. Outdoor dining, take out, and gift cards are available. Website | Instagram
Tanoreen, a longtime outpost of Palestinian cuisine in Bay Ridge, was opened by Chef Rawia in 1998, now jointly run with her daughter, Jumana. As the years have passed the menu has proudly evolved to embrace new flavors and influences to enliven and enrich. Outdoor dining, takeout, and gift cards are available. Website | Instagram
Manousheh is a homestyle bakery in NYC, serving delicious variations of flatbread. Their hope is to create an environment where those who’ve never been to Lebanon leave with the goal of visiting, and for those who’ve been, to leave feeling like they just had a real taste of Beirut. Outdoor dining, takeout, catering, and gift cards are available. Website | Instagram
Posts about This is Who I Am on The Hub
The Play Company gratefully acknowledges the leadership support of the Kaplen Brothers Fund.
Operating support for The Play Company is provided by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation New York Theatre Program in partnership with the Alliance of Resident Theatre/New York.
The Play Company gratefully acknowledges the support of the following:
