Birthmark
Run: November 3rd – November 18th 2018, Montreal, arts, interculturels.
Playwright: Stephen Orlov
Directed By: Michelle Soicher, Liz Valdez
CAST: Howard Rosenstein, Natalie Tannous, Patrick Keeler, Dalia Charafeddine, Stephen Spreekmeester
Creative Team: Set and Costume Design: Sabrina Miller; Lighting Design: Eric Mongerson; Sound Design: Rehan Lalani; Stage Manager: Elyse Quesnel; Apprentice Stage Manager: Sierra Alarie
Birthmark thematically challenges mainstream depictions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and youth radicalization in Canada. Set primarily in Montreal on the eve of Donald Trump’s incendiary presidency, this mixed-genre play of family drama, political thriller and dark comedy crosses the social and cultural divide between Canada’s Jewish and Palestinian diaspora communities.
Jewish writer David Stein tries desperately to sabotage his son Nelson’s plan to quit McGill and join an ultra-Orthodox Israeli settlement in the West Bank by revealing a family secret about Jamila Hassan, a Palestinian teacher. Jamila’s adopted daughter Karima suddenly disappears from UQAM on a mysterious political mission abroad, provoking a CSIS investigation. Both single parents must reluctantly align to help save each other’s only child from life-or-death scenarios that compel us to ponder the essence of our common humanity.
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“The strength of the performances in Birthmark are a reflection of the cast and crew's fearlessness when it comes to blending genre, being honest, listening to other perspectives, and having a sense of humour (one of the bravest and most noble things you can do).”
— Tara McGowan-Ross, Broadway World Montreal
“Birthmark hopes for peace and justice in war torn holy land… the subject is powerfully examined in Stephen Orlov’s latest play, Birthmark.”
— Byron Toben, Westmount Mag
“En présentant cette pièce, Stephen Orlov, qui se définit comme un Juif progressiste, démontre une forme de bravoure et une persévérance louables…Chapeau également pour la distribution diversifiée, qui comporte tant des acteurs juifs que palestiniens, ce qui fait vraiment plaisir en ces temps dappropriation culturelle.”
— Lauren Robillard, Passion MTL