ITEM:
Timing is everything – and sometimes it sucks. Originally scheduled for this space was a review of "9 Parts of Desire" that's playing at the Marlene Boll Theatre in downtown Detroit through May 24. But when critic Robert Bethune showed up at the theater last Saturday night along with only three paying customers, the performance was cancelled – and Robert went home. However, only seconds after he was out the door, a handful of additional patrons showed up and the decision was made to go ahead with the show – minus Robert, of course. Then, schedule conflicts the following afternoon (Mother's Day) prevented Robert or me from returning to the theater – and that's a shame, because this noteworthy production deserves not only to be seen, but discussed, as well.
Written by Michigan native Heather Raffo after visiting Baghdad following the first Gulf War, "9 Parts of Desire" gives a powerful voice to the Iraqi women who are struggling to understand and survive the wars. "It really changed my outlook on the war and its human cost," director Ed Nahhat told me early last year when his Water Works Theatre Company and the Arab Theatrical Arts Guild first staged the production in Dearborn. "What's special is its focus on the feminine and female side of the war. It reveals a lot of information about the war that you don't get from CNN or the newspaper."
It's also a tour de force for actress Sarab Kamoo, who plays all nine women in the show. "It's an incredible challenge that I've never had before," Kamoo said last year of appearing in a one-person show. "And what an opportunity it is to be able to do something related to my heritage. It's a great mix of me as an actor and who I am as a Chaldean woman."
The powerful and passionate performance I attended last year earned Kamoo a well-deserved standing ovation – and the show received the Critic's Choice Award at the 2007 Wilde Awards.
I suspect this year's production is equally excellent.
So if you love to be challenged by thought-provoking theater, or if you enjoy watching an actress at the top of her craft, consider spending quality time with Kamoo and the fascinating women of "9 Parts of Desire." You'll be glad you did!
Performed at the Marlene Boll Theater at the Boll Family YMCA, 1401 Broadway, Detroit. 8 p.m. May 16, 8 p.m. May 17, 3 p.m. May 18, 8 p.m. May 23, 8 p.m. May 24. $15-$20. 313-223-2751 http://www.waterworkstheatre.com
ITEM: Beginning this week we're introducing Theater Events 2.0 – a major change to how we compile and present our weekly theater listings both here in print and on our Web site.
In the past, the column was prepared manually each week. Yes, that means I typed each and every new listing into a Word document and then made whatever changes were needed to previous listings for the following week's edition.
Because of that, however, theater events were never included in BTL's online calendar.
But that's changed effective this week. A new calendar system designed by BTL tech wizard Kevin Bryant and introduced several weeks back for Art & Around has now been upgraded for Theater Events. And I think you'll LOVE the results. (I do!)
We're still tweaking the output for the print edition, however, so please forgive us if the contents and format varies for the next few weeks. And, of course, your feedback is always appreciated!
In the meantime, check out our online calendar at https://www.pridesource.com/happenings.phtml. And let us know what you think of THAT, too!
ITEM: And finally, nominations for the 2008 Wilde Awards will be announced in two weeks. Watch this space for complete details!
