INTERVIEW: Artistic upheaval provides backdrop for ‘We Live in Cairo’
Photo: We Live in Cairo features, from left, Rotana Tarabzouni and Nadina Hassan. Photo courtesy of Joan Marcus / Provided by Print Shop PR with permission.
New York Theatre Workshop’s new musical We Live in Cairo is set against the backdrop of the Arab Spring, a time of great tumult in Egypt a few years ago. The show, which runs through Nov. 27, follows the journey of several artists and activists who attempt to usher out an old regime for something new, according to press notes. Their struggle is shared through art and music.
The Lazours — Daniel and Patrick — are responsible for the book, music and lyrics of this unique musical. Their work is interpreted for the stage by director Taibi Magar and a hard-working cast that consists of Sophia Alawi, Ali Louis Bourzgui, Travis Darghali, Drew Elhamalawy, John El-Jor, Nadina Hassan, Michael Khalid Karadsheh and Rotana Tarabzouni.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Tarabzouni about her role in We Live in Cairo. In the show, she portrays the character of Fadwa, and the actor’s personal biography speaks not of her previous theatrical credits, but of her Palestinian heritage and her role as an artist in service of humanity. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What motivated you to join this company and tell these stories?
Arabs are among the most underrepresented groups in TV/film/theater and international music, and yet our cultural influences are everywhere. The thing that drew me most to this show is the opportunity to embody love, life and revolution with a full Arab cast — to remind me the world that we exist, we are worthy of life and we will fight for our full dignity. And that fight is love itself.
What has it been like working with the Lazours and director Taibi Magar?
The most supportive work environment I’ve ever experienced. The way my charge and heartbreak for [my] people was always honored and alchemized into magic for the show is something I’ll never forget. Taibi really held me in my pain and empowered me to grow strong with and through it.
I’ll never [be] able to thank the Lazours for this music they have written that has changed my life. “Each and Every Name” is a song of Fadwa’s at the end of the show that has given my grief and rage a sacred place to express itself.
Do you believe theater can change the world, or at least change perspectives?
Absolutely. There is nothing like the power of transmission, of feeling another’s heart. It happens despite us.
Tell me more about Fadwa. How do you approach this person?
Fadwa is not dissimilar to me. She is a person who feels a profound spiritual duty to fight for the liberation of her people. Fadwa is much braver than I, but I am just as hard-headed as she is. Ultimately, I believe that Fadwa operates in the quantum realm where energy cannot be created or destroyed, where martyrs live on, and where the revolution never dies.
Was there a lot of research that you needed to conduct to better understand the issues of the show?
Yes, tons! Although I was familiar with the Arab Spring, there are so many details about the different sects of religion and government, about prisons and local movements, that we needed to learn. And, of course, we learned them to honor the true real heroes of that revolution.
Do you feel like this is an exciting moment for New York theater?
I think so. I think if it continues to be brave and commit to amplifying voices that are systemically suppressed, then we can have a more holistic theater scene.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
We Live in Cairo, featuring Rotana Tarabzouni, continues through Nov. 27 at New York Theatre Workshop in Manhattan. Click here for more information and tickets.
