Loading ...'Ghashee w Mashee' offers look at Arab-American life
Theater producer, director, writer and technical adviser are some of the hats Najee Mondalek wears when it comes to the stage, but most people know him for his portrayal of Im Hussein.
The beloved matriarch of several Ajyal Theatrical Group productions is back in a new comedy, “Ghashee w Mashee,” to be performed Nov. 14 at Governors State University’s Center for Performing Arts in University Park as part of the show’s 2015-16 U.S., Canadian and Australian tour.
“This is now a character I’ve been playing since 1994. It’s a very famous character in Canadian and Arab-American communities,” said Mondalek, who was forced to take on the role when the father of the actress booked to play Im Hussein died days before the opening of “Smile You Are in America.”
“I put on this dress of this lady, the scarf and the glasses. The minute I walked onto the stage, the audience fell in love with this character.”
“Ghashee w Mashee,” which Mondalek said is approximately 70 percent in Arabic and 30 percent in English with some Spanish, focuses on Im Hussein dealing with her know-it-all husband.
“He considers himself like Albert Einstein, but he is not at all,” Mondalek said.
Divorce for infertility, drug abuse, conflict between two generations, welfare fraud and other social issues Arab Americans may be familiar with also are featured in “Ghashee w Mashee,” which is directed by Aziz Charabaty.
“The age range of the audiences goes from teenagers all the way to older people. We’re trying especially with the new generation of Arab Americans, the young generation who were born here or came here very young,” said Mondalek, who was born in Lebanon and now lives in Michigan.
“If you look at the audience, 35 percent of our audience now is new generation, which we are proud of what we did over the years to attract this group. It started for me as a hobby and I still enjoy it. I enjoy performing and seeing the smile on people’s faces, hearing they’re very happy and the applause.”
Billed as the first Arab-American theater group to “take the show on the road,” Michigan-based Ajyal Theatrical Group has invited audiences including those in the Middle East to follow along as Im Hussein and her family navigate life in America.
“Whenever I write my comedies, I always insert good messages,” Mondalek said. “We try to encourage the audience to do your best to feel proud of where you came from and proud you are American now.
“Follow a good example. Show the public the side of you as Arab or Arab American. Be thankful to this country that opened its arms to welcome you and your family to live a better life.”
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Source: www.chicagotribune.com