Rizvan Moe

With lively dialogue, passionate speeches, as well as its detours into magic realism, Yussef El Guindi creates a powerful, rich story about a loving (although flawed) American-Muslim family. What I respect most about this play is that Guindi does not paint anyone as the bad-guy. The family members each come up against outer struggles, but in the end they must face their own inner demons. It is a universal and human message, all under the backdrop of this charming Egyptian-American family. One gets a sense that the playwright cares deeply for every character in this play, each with their own inner and outer fights. Huwaida's character reminds me much of my own older sister. El Guindi is able to respect the clash between cultures that a young, strong-willed, Muslim woman faces. And he does not offer any black-or-white answer.