As reported by director Anthony Barneo:
On opening night, a young woman in tears approached Anthony Barneo at intermission. She took his hand and introduced herself. Her name was Talia and she grew up in Israel. She related to Barneo that the play moved her tremendously because of its truthfulness and that she found the heart and pain of the daily struggle of living in Israel. She thanked him. After the show she came up to him again and said she would do everything she could to get people to see the play and help the producers move it to other venues.
At the next night's performance, Barneo was leaving the theater at intermission to get some air. A young Arab documentary filmmaker named Abdullah stopped him. He had met Abdullah only once before at the screening of a Palestinian film entitled "Divine Intervention." Abdullah is a powerful and intense young man from Libya who, along with his brother, is doing a documentary on the occupied Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza, having spent much time there. Abdullah gave Barneo a big bear hug and thanked him for telling the truth in a fair and objective way.
Listen to "Convergence" Enact All Sides of the Palestinian-Israeli Crisis
By Jordan Elgrably
The acting director of Levantine Cultural Center finds a new play inspiring and thought-provoking.
Israelis and Palestinians have been in confict throughout my lifetime and yours, fighting over the same land, the same towns and villages, the same water and land resources. Everyone recognizes that the two peoples will have to live side by side, but few agree on how to bring about this seemingly utopic future.
A new play by Shakir Yusif Farsakh, who is both Palestinian and Jewish, "Convergence" is directed by Anthony Barnao at the Blue Sphere Alliance's Lex Theatre in Hollywood. Having been an activist on this issue for many years, I've participated in umpteen conferences, dialogue groups, film festivals and interpersonal relationships, framing the debate, but rarely have I experienced an afternoon that is as emotionally charged and rewarding as the performance of "Convergence."
At first, audience members hear the multitude of voices crying out, "LISTEN!" or "ISMA!" for "Convergence" is about hearing the voices of all sides of this unending drama; it is about heeding the mutual desire for safety, for freedom from anxiety and suspicion, and for a right to liberty and happiness. Farsakh, Barnao and the performers ask us to reflect upon what is the Israeli historical and cultural memory; what is the Palestinian historical and cultural memory? Are both equally and fairly represented in our media? Do we really know what people go through in their daily lives, as this conflict stretches into its 55th year?
Indeed, "Convergence" is striking for its emotional resonance as it grapples with the daily realities faced by Palestinian villagers and activists, Israeli border guards and peaceniks, settlers, and suicide bombers. And almost the entire cast appears in two roles, playing both Arab and Jewish characters. Particularly notable are Sarah Ripard as both a pregnant Palestinian mother and Israeli peacenik, Roy Avigdori as the Ramallah mastermind of suicide bombings, and Herzl Tobey as a conflicted Israeli military officer. Also a stand-out is dancer/choreographer Maya Karasso, who brings a disturbing beauty to the play as spirit dancer Hagar/Sarah.
The play can be disorienting because one may experience dizzying emotions and conflicted ideas; as things become more complex, your previously educated opinions are challenged, and you may find yourself wanting to empathize with "the other side." Ultimately, "Convergence" enacts the true yin/yang reality of being Palestinian/Israeli; whether you like it or not, each is a side of the same coin, and each is in the Holy Land to stay. Fortunately, "Convergence" leaves you with a sense of possibility, and following Sunday matinee performances, the panel discussion with cast and audience members is insightful and rewarding.
— Through October 26, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m., Sunday matinee 3 p.m. Tickets 323.957.5782.
