The world premiere of Zayd Dohrn’s The Profane, about the clashing ideologies of two Muslim families living in New York, begins previews at Playwright Horizons March 17. The Off-Broadway staging is directed by Kip Fagan, with an official opening set for April 9.
Performances are in the company’s Peter Jay Sharp Theater and are scheduled to play through April 30.
The cast is made up of Tala Ashe (Troilus and Cressida, The Who & the What, Urge for Going), Francis Benhamou (I Call My Brothers, Invasion!, Inside Amy Schumer), Ramsey Faragallah (The School for Scandal, Betrayed, Homeland), Ali Reza Farahnakian (Homebody/Kabul, Delocated, 30 Rock), Lanna Joffrey (Richard III: Born with Teeth, Sad and Merry Sadness, Sonnet Walks), Heather Raffo (Nine Parts of Desire, Palace of the End, Food and Fadwa), and Babak Tafti (Small Mouth Sounds, North Pool, Orange Is the New Black).
The story follows Raif Almedin, played by Farahnakian, a first-generation immigrant who prides himself on his modern, enlightened views. Almedin’s tolerance is tested when his daughter, played by Ashe, falls for the son of a conservative Muslim family in White Plains, forcing the two families to confront each other’s longstanding beliefs and prejudices.
The production features scenic design by Takeshi Kata, costume design by Jessica Pabst, lighting design by Matt Frey, and sound design by Brandon Wolcott. Production stage manager is Shane Schnetzler.
Dohrn’s plays include Outside People (The Vineyard/Naked Angels), Want (Steppenwolf First Look), Sick (Berkshire Theatre Festival/National New Play Network), and Reborning (The Public/SPF).
Tickets can be purchased online via PHNYC.org and Facebook.com, by phone at (212) 279-4200, and in person at the Ticket Central Box Office, located at 416 West 42nd Street, New York.
