Thursday, July 24 – Sunday, August 10
Ishaq and Zeblyan are the last remaining Jews in Afghanistan. They share the only remaining synagogue that has not been destroyed by the Taliban. They share a mission to repopulate the Jewish community in Kabul. But they also hate each other. Can this Middle Eastern odd couple commit to one incredible act of faith to keep the diaspora alive without killing one other? A modern vaudeville full of schtick, sorrow, and survival.
“An uproarious comedy with a twist of faith… explores issues of faith, commitment and perseverance that keep audiences laughing and thinking long past curtain call.” – The Jewish Ledger
Individual tickets on sale starting January 1.
Meet The Cast
Gary Glasgow (Ishaq) is excited to return to the NJT stage, having last appeared here as Eddie Kurnitz in Lost In Yonkers. Most recently, he appeared in Upstream Theatre’s production of Life Is a Dream. Gary has worked for sixteen seasons at the Saint Louis Shakespeare Festival and over 43 productions at the MUNY. Other local venues include the Repertory Theatre of Saint Louis, Mustard Seed Theatre, and Variety Children’s Theatre. He is a faculty member of the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts (30 years) and a proud Actors’ Equity member. Gary thanks his family for their love and support.
Chuck Winning (Zeblyan) is excited to work at NJT again. He has performed with many companies in town, including St. Louis Actors’ Studio, Albion Theatre, St. Louis Shakespeare Company, R-S Theatrics, and Black Mirror Theatre. His most recent performances have been Goldberg in The Birthday Party by Harold Pinter (Circle Award Winner for Best Supporting Male Actor in a Comedy), Dr Farquhar in Mindgame by Anthony Horowitz, and Aryeh Lev/Jacob Kahn in My Name is Asher Lev by Aaron Posner, adapted from the novel by Chaim Potok (Circle Award Nominee for Best Supporting Male Actor in a Drama).
Production Team
Aaron Sparks (Director) is thrilled to be back at NJT! NJT credits include Trayf (STL Theatre Circle Nomination) and My Name is Asher Lev. NYC/Regional Directing: David Rabe’s The Orphan (The Tank), Disorder (United Solo Festival), Jean Genet’s Deathwatch (FringeNYC), Every Brilliant Thing (Heartland Theatre), and Blood Clots (Coconut Grove Playhouse). NYC/Regional Acting: A Soldier’s Play (NEC – 2018 AUDELCO, Best Revival) and shows at FringeNYC, Rhinoleap Productions, Burning Coal Theatre, and The MUNY. Aaron serves on the faculty of the School of Theatre at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Upcoming directing: Rough Magic (UNCG). MFA in Directing – Texas State University. BFA in Acting – NYU Tisch. www.aaronsparksdirector.com.
Kareem Deanes (Sound Designer) is a sound and projection designer. His sound design credits include The Immigrant (New Jewish Theatre), Gruesome Playground Injuries (The Rep), and The Wedding Band (St. Louis Black Rep), among others. Kareem’s projection design work includes The Wedding Band and The Wash (St. Louis Black Rep). A four-time St. Louis Theatre Circle Award nominee for “Best Sound Design of a Play,” Kareem’s artistry enhances storytelling with dynamic sensory experiences.
Michael Sullivan (Lighting Designer) has designed many productions at NJT since his first, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, in 2011, Way to Heaven (Theatre Circle Award) in 2012, and most recently, Trayf. His work at other theatres includes The Magic Flute for Winter Opera St. Louis and Spamalot for Ozark Actors Theatre. Upcoming projects are Peter and the Starcatcher at Ozark Actors Theatre, The Shape of Things and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Lindenwood University, and Romeo et Juliette for Winter Opera.
Michele Siler (Costume Designer) has been designing costumes for NJT since 2001, productions including Red, We All Fall Down, All My Sons, Into the Woods, The Immigrant, Broadway Bound, Dear Jack, Dear Louise, Brighton Beach Memoirs (St. Louis Theatre Circle Nominee) and The Whipping Man. Recent credits include The Rose Tattoo, The Glass Menagerie, A Streetcar Named Desire for the Tennessee Williams Festival (St. Louis Theatre Circle Nominee), The Sound Inside, The Nerd, Barefoot in the Park, (Moonstone Theatre), Hamlet, The Tempest, The Heir Apparent (St. Louis Theatre Circle Nominee) for St. Louis Shakespeare, Into the Breeches (St. Louis Theatre Circle Nominee) Shakespeare in the Streets: Winds of Change for the Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis, Waiting for the Marlboro Man, Bitter Fruit, A Human Being Died That Night, The Death of Atahualpa (Kevin Kline Award Nominee) for Upstream Theater, Blithe Spirit (St. Louis Theatre Circle Nominee) and Waiting for Godot for St. Louis Actors’ Studio. Michele was named “Best St. Louis Costume Designer” in the 2016 Post- Dispatch GO! List and was named a 2022 “Unsung Hero” by the St. Louis Jewish Light.
Patrick Siler (Stage Manager) is very pleased to be working for NJT again after working last year for We All Fall Down, Red, and Trayf. He is a local stage manager, actor, musician, and director. Patrick’s professional stage and opera credits include work in Dallas, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Chicago.
Lily Tomasic (Set Designer) is excited to work with the team at NJT again! Although she loves coming home, Lily is currently working and living in New York as a freelance scenic associate. Recent associate scenic design credits include NYC: Rolling Thunder (New World Stages), Duke & Roya (The Lucille Lortel), Conversations with Mother (ShowTown Theatricals), and Sumo (Ma-Yi Theater Company), and Dialogue of the Carmelites (Julliard). Regionally: Billie Jean (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), A Doll’s House Pt. 2 (Pasadena Playhouse), Bring it On, Come From Away, Les Misérables (The Muny), and As You Like It (STL Shakespeare Festival). @stagetomato