News: "Oud Player on the Tel" Makes Its World Premiere at A.R.T./New York

Hari Bhaskar and Mark J. Quiles. Photo by Steven Pisano.
The new play Oud Player on the Tel, by Tom Block, invites audiences to reflect on the absurdity and humanity behind one of the world’s most enduring conflicts. The World Premiere production will be presented at HERE Arts Center in SoHo, November 8 - 24. Opening night is slated for November 8. The limited engagement is directed by Jesica Garrou with an original score written and performed live on the oud by Rachid Halihal. Oud Player on the Tel is presented by the International Human Rights Arts Movement, a not-for-profit committed to amplifying critical voices from artists around the world.

Set against the backdrop of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Oud Player on the Tel follows the story of Amir, a Palestinian olive farmer, who befriends Melke, the patriarch of a newly arrived Jewish refugee family in 1947. As the founding of Israel unfolds, the two families become entangled in friendship, rivalry, and love, highlighting the tragic absurdity of a conflict that has spanned 75 years. The play’s surrealist style, underscored by live oud music, draws inspiration from Fiddler on the Roof, providing a poignant yet darkly comedic exploration of the pursuit of coexistence.

The cast features Hari Bhaskar (Disgraced/Stella Adler Conservatory), Gary Brintz (Fiddler on the Roof/National Tour), Inji El Gammal (Bismillah/Wild Project), Maya Koshaba (Protocol-7/Film), Mark Peters (The Fool’s Lear/Accidental Rep), Jennifer G. R. Tulchin (Coriolanus/Hudson Classical Theatre), and Mark J. Quiles (We Crashed/Apple TV). John Druzba (Saturday Night Live), and Hala Shah (Dual Narratives/Mejdi Tour) serve as understudies.

The creative and production team includes Hala Shah (choreography), Gary Brintz (fight director), Richie Ouellette (scenic design), Riva Fairhall (lighting design), Cathy Small (costume design), and A. Kasper (stage management). Oud Player On the Tel is a Kitty Williams Co-Production in tandem with the International Human Rights Art Movement.

Oud Player on the Tel runs November 8 – 24, with performances Tuesday – Saturday at 7pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Tiered tickets ($35-$150) are now on sale.
 
Performances take place at HERE Arts Center, 145 6th Avenue (Enter on Dominick, 1 block south of Spring), New York City, NY 10013. Subways: C/E to Spring Street, 1 to Houston, N/R to Prince Street.

This production is a part of SubletSeries@HERE: a curated rental program, which provides artists with subsidized space and equipment, as well as a technical liaison.

More information is available at www.oudplayeronthetel.com.

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