The most intriguing character in Susan Merson's drama is Guela, a weary Israeli mother and walking tangle of contradictions. At once adopting the yoke of tradition and chafing against it, she's envious, resentful, and proud of her independent-minded stepdaughter, whose affair with a Palestinian man has left her pregnant. The conflict between these two has promise, but Merson dilutes it by introducing two ancillary female characters--a goofy American ex-pat and a wise Ethiopian university professor--presumably meant to show a wider cross-section of women and the choices open to them. The effect, though, is an intrusion that bars us from fully delving into Guela's conflicted emotions. Jesus Contreras's production has a few nice, quiet moments, but too often the cast opts for yuks and bustle. Part of the
Alcyone Festival. --Zac Thompson
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