Theatrius Archive
  • Now Playing
  • All Reviews
  • Writers
  • Reflections
  • Millennial Notes
  • Join Us
  • About Us
  • Visit us on Instagram!
  • Search Icon

Theatrius Archive

Archive for Theatrius.com

“The Return” Reveals the Cost of Forbidden Love—at Golden Thread

“The Return” Reveals the Cost of Forbidden Love—at Golden Thread

August 13, 2025 Jenyth Jo

Eady & Mast Unveil Palestinian Identity Nightmare

by Jenyth Jo

In “The Return,” playwrights Hanna Eady and Edward Mast sensitively portray the suffering of Palestinians in Israel, where they are under constant suspicion and surveillance. When a Palestinian car mechanic’s painful past comes back to haunt him, we learn that his constrained life is much worse than headlines reveal.

An Israeli woman named Talia (Elissa Beth Stebbins) confronts the mechanic in his garage on the Jewish Sabbath. She says she recognizes him as Avi, but he claims to be Yaakov. When we learn they knew each other years ago, we join their mesmerizing, dangerous dance toward death.

As Avi/Yaakov, Nick Musleh’s brilliant performance leaves us in tears. Musleh’s character, a Palestinian who spent 13 years in Israeli prisons, now has “special privilege” to work on Israeli Army Jeeps. Avi goes by Yaakov now. As a cautious young man, he must always consider what is forbidden and what is permitted–a terrible way to live.

Nick Musleh (Him). Photos: David Allen Studio

Avi’s time in prison reprogrammed him to shrink into fetal position when he hears the word “Palestinian.” His screams reawaken memories of guards burning his family tattoo off his skin. This scene, and the knowledge that all his hopes for freedom have been squashed, opens the door to our understanding of Palestinian erasure.

In his new town Herzliya, Avi must report every outside contact, or risk further torture. His daily suffering affects us deeply because he just wants to live in peace.

On the other hand, we have a hard time understanding what Talia wants from Avi. Is she for him or against him? Was she the cause of his suffering? She cruelly lets him know that, because she’s an Israeli Jew, her word will always take precedence over his.

Elissa Beth Stebbins ably manages the difficult task of portraying an unlikable character. Talia suggests hidden cameras might be recording Avi in the garage. Why is he working on military vehicles? Talia refuses to understand Avi’s current dilemma.

Nick Musleh (Him) & Elissa Beth Stebbins (Her)

Twitching and shaking her way through their confrontation, Talia exposes her prejudices. Her lack of awareness makes us cringe. Stebbins moves us past empathy to distaste.

In scene after Kafkaesque scene, Talia reappears at the garage, pressuring and goading Avi. Heads turn back and forth, as we follow from the sidelines of the alley-like stage. The dialogue goes fast, then slow, creating suspense. But Talia remains naïve about the inhumane Israeli laws that rule Avi.

What was their past? We slowly learn of lying and betrayal. One lies for love. The other lies for pride. At times Talia appears delusional, thinking she can save him. But her savior complex might condemn him.

A surprising and satisfying climax builds on moments of hope. They imagine a visit to Yaakov’s family village of Ein Samara, a town where a fig tree grows by a freshwater spring. Avi knows that would be an appointment with death.

Despite their deceit and betrayals, we root for Avi/Yaakov and Talia. We realize their chance of happiness is slim indeed, but their struggle for love defies authoritarian rule.

 

“The Return” by Hanna Eady & Edward Mast, directed by Hanna Eady, scenic & lighting design by Kate Boyd, costumes by Michelle Mulholland, sound by James Ard, by Golden Thread Productions with Art2Action, Inc., at The Garret/ACT, San Francisco.

Info: goldenthread.org – to August 24, 2025.

Cast:  Nick Musleh and Elissa Beth Stebbins.

Banner photo: Nick Musleh & Elissa Beth Stebbins. Photos: David Allen Studio


#History, #Horror, #International, #Middle Eastern, #Palestinian, #Social Class, #Terror, Now Playing, Plays

Post navigation

NEXT
“Scat-ter Brain: The Music of ADHD” Celebrates Spontaneity—at The Marsh
PREVIOUS
“Home?”: Palestinian Woman Enacts Her Amazing Story, Brilliantly—at Z Space
Comments are closed.

Menu

  • Now Playing
  • All Reviews
  • Writers
  • Reflections
  • Millennial Notes
  • Join Us
  • About Us
  • Visit us on Instagram!

BLM

Black Lives Matter

Current Shows

  • “What Is To Be Done?” Fights Depression & Fascism, Brilliantly—at The Marsh
  • “Twelfth Night or, What You Will” Highlights Our Humanity—at The Public
  • “The Tempest” Mixes Magic, Old Feuds, & New Love—at Marin Shakes
  • “The Return” Investigates Repression & War—at Golden Thread
  • “Some Things You Should Know About My Mom” Summons the 60s—at Exit
  • “Scat-ter Brain: The Music of ADHD” Celebrates Spontaneity—at The Marsh
  • “The Return” Reveals the Cost of Forbidden Love—at Golden Thread
  • “Home?”: Palestinian Woman Enacts Her Amazing Story, Brilliantly—at Z Space
  • “Jurassiq Parq, A Musiqal Parody”: A Wild Joy Ride!—at Oasis
  • “Night Driver”: Hong Kong Princess Navigates S.F. Queer Scene—at The Marsh
  • “The Magnolia Ballet”: A Bold, Black Father-Son Love Story—at Shotgun: Video to Sept. 6
  • “Les Blancs” Delivers the Truth about Colonialism—at OTP
  • “Execution of Justice” Exposes the ‘Twinkie’ Defense—at Chautauqua
  • “Les Blancs” Exposes Hypocrisy of Imperialism—at OTP
  • “Into the Breeches!”: Wartime Women Take Center Stage–at Masquers

About us:

If you want to see the best plays & performances around the San Francisco Bay or beyond, read our reviews. We promise to give you a true report on the best shows.
Bay Area Critics Circle

Barry David Horwitz, Editor of Theatrius, is a Voting Member of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics' Circle, SFBATCC.

© 2025   All Rights Reserved.