Inside the Haskell Library, an actual library located northeast of Burlington, Vt., a strip of black masking tape marks the international border between the Green Mountain State and Quebec. Colorful discussions of Jane Austen, graphic novels and opera take a sharp turn when Peyman and Shirin Gilani, an Iranian father and daughter, use the library as a meeting place, a growing trend due to a viral online post.
When rules are defied, a life-altering reckoning affects not only Peyman and Shirin but French-Canadian librarian Manon Desjardins, American customs agent Bruce Laird, and local teenager Declan Sheehan, a trio who have bonded inside this presumed safe space.
“Everything regarding war and politics has been about protectionism, isolationism,” said Fahmy, who grew up roughly 30 minutes from the U.S.-Canada border and has visited the Haskell Library. “I do think we’re in a world in which borders are becoming more contentious.”
Credit: Human Race
Credit: Human Race
He was also inspired by the “Green Lantern” in his examination of good versus evil and the color-coded emotional spectrum. Admittedly “obsessed” with the series as a kid, he enjoyed pouring his passion into lonesome, socially awkward Declan, embodied with terrific inquisitiveness in a breakthrough portrayal by Oakwood High School junior Cooper Schairbaum.
“This play is about shades of gray, a nuanced look at something most people think of as black and white,” Fahmy said. “The theme of the play is encapsulated in the idea of there is no such thing as good guys or bad guys. We all contain all of those things. And, of course, the Green Lantern is a cop in superhero lore and I wanted Declan to be fixated on the authority figure of Bruce. It all became the DNA of the play.”
In his professional acting debut, Schairbaum delivers Declan’s closing monologue with endearing resonance, a poignant moment heightened by the atmospheric flourish of director Brant Russell, scenic designer Mark Halpin, lighting designer Darin Keesing, and sound designer/composer Jay Brunner. He said Declan represents the audience’s vantage point in terms of deciphering right or wrong.
“Declan doesn’t have a side in the quarrel of what this play is about, and in the end, he tries to help everyone, but he can’t help everyone when they’re all against each other,” said Schairbaum. “It’s interesting that he kind of represents the audience coming into the story and not knowing anybody yet and having to choose whom to side with.”
Credit: Human Race Theatre Company
Credit: Human Race Theatre Company
“I don’t think there’s a right or wrong side to whose side you’re on,” said Kelly Mengelkoch, portraying the warm, inviting Manon with marvelous intuitiveness, dialect and physicality. “Everyone has every color of morality going on in them. I hope (the play) spurs conversation and makes you think about yourself.”
The outstanding cast, building a beautifully relatable sense of community as each scene unfolds, includes James Rana as Peyman, Kylie Flick as Shirin and Rico Romalus Parker as Bruce. Rana, who previously portrayed Peyman in the play’s 2023 co-world premiere with Pioneer Theatre Company and TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, is grateful for the chance to reprise his role.
“I’m very blessed because I had the opportunity to do this play two years ago and it never left me,” said Rana, who appeared in Dayton last season in the powerful national tour of “The Kite Runner. “I’ve always thought about this play. Everything I’ve absorbed in life I find myself bringing (to this play). It’s exciting.”
Flick, a Northern Kentucky University graduate of Iranian descent making a fiery Human Race debut, admired the complexities in the script in light of current events.
“There’s a lot of lightness, laughter and joy in our lives but there’s also a lot of (worrisome things) going on right now,” she said. “Because of the work Kareem did in writing this show the (complexities) felt easier than hard. It felt natural.”
Credit: Human Race Theatre Company
Credit: Human Race Theatre Company
Memorably seen last season in the Human Race’s comical “Reindeer Sessions,” Parker is at his most vulnerable as the playful yet authoritative Bruce, tasked with enforcing policies that wound the heart.
“This show gives (audiences) an opportunity to understand that certain things based on fear or protection are never going to be able to translate when you use words like family, love and relationship,” he said. “I hope when people have conversations about the play, they’ll realize some square pegs don’t fit into round holes.”
Credit: Human Race Theatre Company
Credit: Human Race Theatre Company
Fahmy acknowledged the play’s political essence but is open to varying perspectives.
“I don’t think a play that touches on politics should say this is the right way to think and this is the wrong way to think. Nobody in an audience wants to be lectured to so I wanted to create five really complicated characters who all make some good decisions and some bad decisions.”
HOW TO GO
What: “A Distinct Society”
Where: Loft Theatre, 126 N. Main St., Dayton
When: Through Feb. 16; 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday
Cost: $10-$53
More info: 937-228-3630 or humanracetheatre.org
FYI: The Sunday performance is a special Parents’ Day Out option. Adults can watch the show and the Human Race Theatre Company will entertain kids (ages 5-12) with a theater workshop (a $100+ value) that is free with the purchase of your tickets. Also on Sunday, a post-show conversation with the cast and thematic experts will take place following the performance.
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