By Jay O. Sanders
Directed by Derek Goldman

Mosaic Theater Company launched its inaugural season with a world-premiere epic about the madness and majesty of Rwanda. Raymond, a young film student at NYU, is compelled to return to Rwanda to uncover the roots of violence that transformed his country and obliterated his family, including his beloved grandfather, a master storyteller whose legacy Raymond seeks to redeem. “A kaleidoscopic new play of epic dimensions,” (Washington Post), this assiduously researched, highly theatrical tapestry takes us on a personal journey of discovery as Raymond keeps alive the stories of his country, as a Hutu government minister falls in love with a Tutsi woman, and the head of UN peacekeepers — propelled by the ghost of Mark Twain and haunted by those he was unable to save — struggles with his own will to live. Staged by Derek Goldman (Our Class, In Darfur), this production takes place in the 260-seat Lang Theatre.

By Marcus Gardley
Directed by Jennifer L. Nelson

​A hymn-and-hip-hop-tinged elegy, set on the South Side of Chicago in a time of rising gun violence in a cosmopolitan, yet divided city, the play tells the story of Manny, a 17-year-old who sings for President Obama at the White House only to be held up weeks later for his Air Jordan sneakers. Manny's mother retraces the trajectory of her son's fateful encounter with Noel, a fellow teenager with heartbreaking setbacks of his own, as she conjures the ghost of Ida B. Wells, the Civil Rights activist now 153 years old, who offers a challenging perspective for the family and our community. Staged by Mosaic Theater Resident Director Jennifer L. Nelson (Founding Artistic Director, African Continuum Theatre Company).

Written and performed by Aaron Davidman
Directed by Michael John Garcés

​One man’s journey to comprehend the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as it courses through his divided psyche and argumentative community. Originally commissioned by Theater J in 2007, Davidman’s evolving excavation into the contours of conflict now illuminates a personal story that grapples with the complexities of identity, history and social justice. Wrestling Jerusalem gives voice to a dozen characters, animating their struggles, soul searchings and defensive barriers that give way to a spiritual oneness that offers a promise of peace in the midst of bloodshed. Part of the Voices From a Changing Middle East Festival.

Based on the memoir by Izzeldin Abuelaish

Adapted by Izzeldin Abuelaish and Shay Pitovksy
Directed by Shay Pitovksy
Featuring Gassan Abbas

The story of the Gaza fertility doctor (nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize) who refuses to relinquish his commitment to coexistence, even after tragedy befalls his family during Operation Cast Lead. The production, performed in Hebrew and Arabic by one of Israel's leading Palestinian actors, Gassan Abbas, brings humanity and heroism to the role of Abuelaish, in a script adapted and staged by one of our Festival's featured young artists, the Israeli director, Shay Pitovsky. Part of the Voices From a Changing Middle East Festival.

Performed in Arabic and Hebrew with English subtitles.

By Shachar Pinkas and Shay Pitovsky
Directed by Michael Bloom

The youth ensemble of Habimah, Israel's national theater, created this documentary-infused kaleidoscope chronicling the waves of Sudanese refugees who crossed the desert to enter Israel legally and illegally, finding themselves stranded in a drama of relocation and displacement. Adapted for an American troupe and staged by the former artistic director of the Cleveland Play House, Michael Bloom (Off-Broadway’s Sight Unseen), this story personalizes a history of immigration and asks pointed questions about race and the limits of empathy in a welcoming society. Part of the Voices From a Changing Middle East Festival.,

By Motti Lerner
Directed by Sinai Peter

This explosive world premiere from the writer and director who brought you The Admission tells the story of Joel, a world-renowned concert pianist and Israeli anti-war expatriate who returns to Tel Aviv after 18 years to perform with the Israeli Philharmonic. But as protestors agitate to cancel the performance, deep ideological differences between Joel, his estranged son Izzy, and his hot-tempered brother Freddie quickly turn the family homecoming to all-out battle. Set against the wrenching sadness and climactic beauty of Beethoven’s Pathétique, After the War is a crucial new play about an artist’s responsibility to his embattled country, and his family’s tough response to calls for peace in the wake of a costly war.

Written and performed by Leila Buck
Directed by Shana Gold

​A probing portrait of a cosmopolitan Lebanese matriarch as remembered by her Lebanese-American granddaughter who attempts to piece together her beloved Teta's story. Moving between voices, faiths, times and spaces, from Beirut to Bethesda and beyond, Hkeelee invites you to engage in an interactive exploration of what it means to be(come) American: what we hold onto, what we let go and how those choices come to shape who we are. Part of the Voices From a Changing Middle East Festival.

By Cori Thomas
Directed by Serge Seiden

From the inspired team of Liberian-American playwright Cori Thomas, and Bad Jews director Serge Seiden, comes this off-beat, Off-Broadway hit about five city-lives colliding with magical results. When January Feels Like Summer is about coming out, coming of age, and overcoming obstacles. Charged with the presence of the Hindu god Ganesh, two teens in dead end jobs become community heroes while shuttered souls open to new opportunities find love. This heartwarming romantic comedy from shows us the true beauty of American diversity.