Set in 2012 amidst the signing of a peace treaty between Israel and the Palestinians, Motti Lerner’s play, Pangs of the Messiah, is an apocalyptic yet fiercely humane drama about eight West Bank Jewish settlers pitted against an Israel they feel betrayed by.

Photo by Michael Brosilow of James Elly in
Pangs of the Messiah at Silk Road Theatre Project, directed by Jennifer Green

The play focuses on a religious family that finds itself torn between fighting to stay in their settlement and obeying their government’s decision to dismantle it. Left hanging in the balance is the legacy of their beliefs.

The Silk Road Theatre Project showcases playwrights of Asian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean backgrounds, whose works address themes relevant to the peoples of the Silk Road and their Diaspora communities.

The play runs through May 10th in Pierce Hall at The Historic Chicago Temple Building, 77 W. Washington St., Chicago.

Click here to view a clip from the play:
http://www.stagechannel.com/video.php?ebc=lEQNMxHdNGVH

Susan Adler, actress who plays the part of Amalia, believes that this production is a very real portrayal. “I think it’s time that the Jews own up to the fact that right wing fundamentalists exist among us” she said.

Jamil Khoury, co-founder of the Silk Road Theatre project, stated that this play was chosen because it “speaks to the audience.” He also believes that this play shows that there is “as much of a conflict between communities as is in them” he said.

Upon first reading the play, Khoury admits, “I felt a source of discomfort. I went to that place of discomfort and realized this is more of a reason to produce it.”

Photo by Michael Brosilow of Stacie Green and Brent T. Barnes in
Pangs of the Messiah at Silk Road Theatre Project, directed by Jennifer Green.

Though the play was written almost 20 years ago, “It still has a lot to say now,” said Jennifer Green who directed the production. The play was modernized at Theater J she said.

As an Isreali-American, with the Middle East conflict constantly a topic of discussion, this play simply scared me. Even though it is projected in the future, the issues depicted are very real. For anyone who has an interest in delving further into the complex aspects of this conflict, I urge you to stop in to see the play.