The Mulberry Tree: A Play About Loyalty and Loss, Set in Historic Palestine

As 1948, the year of the founding of the state of Israel, approaches, a Palestinian boy and his beloved neighbor, the village Rabbi, struggle to maintain their friendship in a village where Jews, Christians, and Muslims have lived side by side, trying to go about life as usual–until it becomes impossible. An achingly human story rooted in relationships and communities, The Mulberry Tree is a play about Palestine’s past and a heartbreaking but hopeful ode to its future. Written by longtime collaborators Eady (born in Palestine) and Mast (born in California), the story shows the painful price of loyalty and betrayal while honoring the power of memory.

"Despite the current circumstances, there was a time not too long ago in Palestine when Muslims, Jews, and Christians lived together in peace and harmony. My father, the late scholar Edward Said, was born in that place during that time. This play, grounded in history and truth, tells the story of two families whose deep, long-standing friendship is tested by the forces of politics and nationalism. As artists, I believe our role is to envision and create possibilities for the future, and often that requires a closer examination of both our humanity and our shared past. This play offers us the opportunity to do just that." —Najla Said, portraying Salma in The Mulberry Tree

The cast includes Ramzi Khalaf (The Kite Runner, National Tour), Rachel Botchan (King of the Jews, Off-Broadway), Laith Zuaiter (TV: “Ramy”), Najla Said (Palestine, Off-Broadway), and Khalifa Natour (Grey Rock, The Band’s Visit, Tikkun), and Haythem Noor, (The Kite Runner, National Tour). The play is produced for Loose Change Productions by John Breen. The production team includes Khalifa Natour (Dramaturgy), Izmir Ikbal(set design), Dina El-Aziz (costume design), Habib Hanna (composer), Amanda Baughman (sound design), Tal Yarden (projection design), Stephanie Klapper (casting), Eileen Haggerty (production stage manager) and Amanda Reynoso (assistant stage manager). Special thanks to the Sari-Sari Women of ColorArts Coup for their ongoing support of this production.

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Press Representative: Joe Trentacosta, JT-Public Relations

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