Im Hussein satirizes immigrant hardships

Since 9/11 the harsh spotlight of suspicion has fallen on Arab Americans. But artists such as Najee Mondalek have used the situation to cast the community in a positive light.

Mondalek is the founder and driving force behind Ajyal Theatrical Group, a Michigan-based troupe that uses humour to depict the immigrant experience. The comedic theatre pokes fun at everyday Arab Americans, especially those who are recent citizens and those desperately trying to blend into mainstream society.

Tomorrow the Ajyal Theatrical Group unveils the bilingual Im Hussein Jubilee Show at the Arden Theatre. The company celebrates its 25th anniversary with a special touring show that represents the best sketches from its 10-plus original plays.

“For me theatre has a double role. It’s not just entertainment. It’s a cultural experience,” Mondalek says.

At first glance, English-speaking readers easily interpret the title as I’m Hussein. However, Mondalek explains that Im (no apostrophe) is an honourary title given to women after the birth of their firstborn.

The play’s character Im Hussein is a matriarch from the old country attired in a white scarf, thick glasses, a flamboyant flowery dress and support hose. Similar to Mrs. Doubtfire in personality, she unfortunately gets into trouble through linguistic misunderstandings.

“She’s in her 50s. She doesn’t know the language. She doesn’t know the customs. She is trying to learn but ends up with problems,” explains Mondalek.

One of the more popular plays the company produced was Me No Terrorist. Written before 9/11, it was slated for a fall production roughly at the same time the twin towers collapsed.

In a word-mangling adventure, “She’s at an airport and when speaking with security there is confusion between the word tourist and terrorist.”

Mondalek first debuted his famous character in 1994 with Smile You’re In America. A female actor was initially slated to perform Im Hussein. However, her father died a few days before the opening.

Unable to find a replacement on short notice, Mondalek donned the costume and stepped under the lights.

“Since that moment, I’ve been playing that character. The audience fell in love with her and after 19 years I still don’t know the secret of her success. I think the audience sees her as a mother, a grandmother, an aunt, a friend.”

The two-hour production, performed by 10 actors, explores various social, political, cultural and family issues.

Mondalek’s passion for theatre was kindled while growing up in Lebanon during a war that lasted for more than a generation. From 1976 to 1983, as a child, he never slept in a house, but instead shared a cramped bomb shelter with several families.

But in the middle of this terrifying environment, he used humour and spent the time in shelters imitating friends and neighbours. At 16, Mondalek wrote his first play.

“I wanted to write about what peaceful people and what fighters go through – the lack of food and water.”

By 1984, he’d immigrated to the United States and enrolled in several colleges and universities obtaining degrees in mass communications, virtual reality and 3-D animation and film.

Settling in Michigan due its large Arab-American population, Mondalek noticed there were Arab restaurants, a newspaper, radio and local TV.

“Only theatre was missing.”

Financing the theatre from his pocket, he started writing, directing and producing.

“We never looked at it as something to make money. It was to educate, promote understanding and make people laugh. I like people to smile. I don’t like to see people suffering.”

The Im Hussein Jubilee Show is spoken 75 per cent in Lebanese and 25 per cent in English.

Performances are Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.