This show opened my eyes to the struggles and conflicts that queer Muslims face. It is an autobiographical journey that touched every emotion of my body. There were moments when I laughed and other moments where tears welled up in my eyes. Ramy's performance was authentic and raw, thought-provoking and inspiring. Although the show was only 50 minutes long, it felt much longer in a really good way. For that short amount of time, Ramy's story was remarkably impactful. ...
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The Ride
Reviewed by Mayank Keshaviah
“What kind of God teaches people to hate their own flesh and blood?” This is the question that writer/performer Ramy El-Etreby struggles with in the wake of his public outing by The L.A. Times. It happened after El-Etreby was cast as a gay Muslim in a play: interviewed about the role, he revealed that he himself was both gay and Muslim. As homosexuality is haram (forbidden) in Islam, at least according to El-Etreby’s devoutly religious parents, this personal revelation sent shockwaves through his family and his Muslim community in Southern California.
Growing up in Orange County as the son of Egyptian immigrants, El-Etreby “numbs gay” throughout his childhood and even into his college years. After...
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