Matthew Spangler Reveals Strings behind Shah’s Puppet Regime by Susan Dunn Iran is headline news, and “All the Shah’s Men” dives into the 1950s history of how we got to where we are today with this volatile nation. By re-enacting a 1953 U.S.-instigated regime change, Arabian Shakes challenged me to figure out who were…
Jonathan Spector Delivers Comic Send-Up in Facebook Fiasco by Susan Dunn I had an “Oh No” feeling when I saw the private school parents’ board meeting assembled to resolve school issues. These meetings can be so boring! Not so, in the witty send up by Jonathan Spector of our current “progressive” communication style. Sitting…
William J. Brown’s Decisive Hamlet Purges His Nation by Susan Dunn The Arabian Shakespeare Festival’s “Hamlet” comes with a modern political backstory of conquest and colonization. Director Kevin Hammond’s concept challenges us with an Arab Spring take on “Hamlet.” Hammond sees the Prince as a nationalist revolutionary, a fighter for justice against the corrupt…
Yussef El Guindi Raises the Stakes on Selling Out by Susan Dunn Picture a movie that starts with a Thanksgiving dinner suddenly invaded by a blood-seeking terrorist who tortures Dad with the turkey stuffing. How does an Arab actor psyche up to play that one-dimensional Hollywood stereotype? Is this funny? Yes, if it’s “Jihad…