Front Row Reviewers

Storytime at the Library has Begun at Pioneer Theatre Company’s Production of A Distinct Society by Kareem Fahmy

Front Row Reviewers

Front Row Reviewers

By Jason and Alisha Hagey

Libraries are sacred spaces. Stepping into Pioneer Theatre Company tonight is like a warm embrace; a refuge of safety; sacred. A Distinct Society (A World Premiere in association with TheatreWorks Silicon Valley) tells a fictionalized story of a real place, inspired by what was happening in the library in 2017. A tiny town straddles the border between the United States (Vermont) and Stanstead, Quebec, Canada. Built across the boundary line, A Distinct Society takes place in the Haskell Free Library and Opera House. The play follows an Iranian family separated by the 2017 Travel Ban that prohibited individuals from seven predominantly-Muslim countries to be allowed to travel to the U.S. This library (running between the two countries) becomes a place for separated families to meet. We are taken into the lives of a librarian, a lonely teenager, a border patrol officer, and a father and daughter attempting to reunite. Due to the messiness of personal lives and political beaurocracy, this becomes quickly complicated.

There is nothing so powerful as a play where all of the characters are well-meaning, doing their best to be good people, but their differing experiences and priorities come crashing together. A Distinct Society does just that. Kareem Fahmy (Playwright) brings together five people and weaves a tale that is, at turns, heartwarming, funny, frightening, and sad. Fahmy’s reality emerges from his background and experiences in a way that is unique. In some way, every character is a misfit, an outsider. Layered on these characters are history, political policy, literature, cultural divides, and superhero lore. Fahmy’s adept storytelling brings all of these layers together into a particularly powerful message. His perspective creates a poignant voice needing to be heard because many of us will never experience anything quite like it.

Corey Jones as Bruce, Abdullah Khalil as Peyman, Emmet Smith as Declan

Likewise, Giovanna Sardelli (Director) brings to life these layers in a magical world while keeping the characters grounded in true-to-life circumstances. Sardelli’s direction disappears into every mise en scène, allowing the story to unfold in genuine realism.

Jo Winiarski (Scenic Design) expertly produces a set that captures the actual library’s motifs while being open and available to dynamic performances. Where location is as important as any member of the cast, Winiarski makes the location’s character come alive.

Cutting through the set in perfect harmony, Pamila Z. Gray (Lighting Design) illuminates Sardelli’s world with brilliant balance and color. As you will see when you attend the production, the use of color and light is critical to the story. Gray’s work is pure wizardry.

Carrie Paff as Manon

Cleverly, Dina El-Aziz (Costume Design) is able to take the scenic and lighting design and incorporate them into every aspect of the garments worn by the actors. Of specific note is Manon’s red dress with the black sash that cuts through it like the line cutting through the library to separate the United States from the Canadian sides.

The ensemble does a miraculous job of making each character affable and like people and friends, we all hold dear. Then they turn around, and with the softest hint, show each character’s prejudices. They aren’t loud and screaming, ‘I’m a racist’ or ‘All fathers are deadbeats.’ No. They are somehow relatable as they display whatever their casual bias is. Again, you care about all of them, deeply. We laugh at their jokes and friendly banter, we sorrow for them as they all face their personal challenges, and we joy in their personal successes and mannerisms. 

Abdullah Khalil as Peyman & Vaneh Assoudarian as Shirin

Abdullah Khalil (Peyman) is a loving and devoted father (he also happens to be a cardiac surgeon and a good cook). Khalil exudes such joy and devotion. We feel his need to see his daughter. From his first act of knocking on the library window to the precious gift he brings for his daughter, our heart melds with his. There is so much earnestness and urgency in his performance. 

Full of poise, Carrie Paff (Manon) plays an intelligent and quietly witty librarian. Whether she is suffering from sciatica, or dancing on tables, Paff is a force. She isn’t loud. She’s someone you want to get to know better over tea. Half the time, Paff doesn’t need to speak to communicate what Manon is thinking. Somehow she is able to capture a person of real familiarity, someone who has made mistakes and experienced trauma. Paff is the embodiment of mercy and compassion.

Corey Jones as Bruce & Carrie Paff as Manon

Corey Jones (Bruce) is très charmant (even if his character doesn’t speak french yet). His courtship is absolutely sweet. Jones has the most infectious smile. You cheer him on. You love that he cares about people even if he has to follow the letter of the law. Jones brings a nuance to Bruce that is unexpected. 

Emmet Smith (Declan) catches a believable youthfulness without being showy. He is intense and dedicated to the ideals of his character’s favorite graphic novels. His character focuses on the color meaning in the comic book universe (specifically DC’s Green Lantern) and Smith captures the notes of those colors throughout his line delivery (color meaning such as (blue for hope and violet for love). He brings complexity to what is often overlooked and labeled as “nerd culture.”

Vaneh Assoudarian as Shirin & Emmet Smith as Declan

A lightning bolt hits the stage when Vaneh Assadourian (Shirin) enters the room. Her character is vibrant with passion and intricacy. She glows with delight and sears with anger. Assadourian is bold as she captures her character and quickly commands attention to the needs Shirin has for family and for her future. She is the unwitting center of the play, the axel around which everything revolves, and she does so with exceptional clarity.

From almost the first moment, we hear phrases and notes from Bizet’s Carmen. Carmen is about political unrest and power struggles in regard to race, social class, and gender. The foreshadowing is subtle and lays the foundation of each scene. Indeed, it foreshadows the milieu of the story. This is the brilliance of A Distinct Society. Throughout, Fahmy keeps connecting the dots and helps create a unique vision that puts a new spotlight on society’s maladies. A Distinct Society is one of those rare plays that should be labeled: “important.” It says something from such an uncommon point-of-view, through a powerfully different lens, that needs to be experienced by audiences everywhere. The fact that we have the World Premier gives us all the blessing of this work before others. We need this play. We need to experience this play.

Pioneer Theatre Company presents A Distinct Society by Kareem Fahmy
Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre, 300 S 1400 E, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112
January 27 – February 11, 2023, Monday – Thursday 7:00 PM, Friday & Saturday, 7:30 PM, Saturday, 2 PM
Tickets: $35 – $46
Contact: 801-581-6961
Pioneer Theatre Company
Facebook Page

Contains strong language.

ASL-Interpreted Performance: Saturday, February 11 at 2 p.m.
Please contact the Box Office at 801-581-6961 for more information.
Special Town Hall: Immediately following the 2 PM matinee on Saturday, January 28
Those not attending the matinee that day are encouraged to arrive by 3:30 PM
A short break between the performance and Town Hall will allow for reseating.
Questions? Email Info@PioneerTheatre.org.

Front Row Reviewers

Front Row Reviewers

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