GUARDS AT THE TAJ
by Rajiv Joseph
Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Stiemke Studio (LORT D)
September 26th - November 4th, 2018
Two-actor dark comedy exploring the nature of beauty, the limits of friendship, and the impact upon both when power is wielded by those lacking humanity.
ACCLAIM
“…beautifully crafted and extremely moving…monstrous…shocks…profound and ultimately heartbreaking. …nothing feels at a remove. …no mean feat to stage. …major opportunities for artistry… Cheers…to Hazelton for perfectly orchestrating so many effects. It’s been awhile since I’ve fallen so in love with two performances. …demanding, even frightening. Sultani and Azeem perform with complete transparency and impeccable timing. Their speech has music. Their silence has meaning. They make you care.” John Schneider, Shepherd Express
“…gripping…grand fun…what theater! …extraordinary yet believable special effects…play transports us on its mental flights…anchored in a special kind of theatrical reality…Hazelton commands the actors’ finesse…fantastical, brutal, and touching world.” Dominique Paul Noth, Urban Milwaukee
“…intelligent and perceptive direction…under the maestro touch of Brent Hazelton, what we see on this stage is a piercing examination of the concept of duty…funny, very funny…charming and mesmerizing…Hazelton lets the silence breathe…audience are enraptured…scintillating…precise…powerful play, full of surprise…audience sympathy mixes with repulsion…Hazelton’s continued growth as a director of amazing talents has been a joy to watch…attention to detail makes him such a power heading a production. …brilliant…evocative…vibrant…creative…troubling…makes you smile before it slams into you.” Dave Begel on Theater
“…asks hard questions beautifully… Exceptionally acted and brilliantly designed…plunges its audience into a moral quandary. …convincing, likable everymen…vivid…an impossible situation like Didi or Gogo or Stoppard’s version of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern or Steinbeck’s George and Lenny…Hazelton has marshaled an impressive production team…evocative and sometimes downright spooky…” Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
“…brutal…mostly funny, sometimes poignant, then—quite suddenly—heartbreaking. …it’s impossible not to compare yourselves to them and wonder how you would behave in the same circumstances. …mesmerizing…overall design of the play is ingenious, and the most complex I’ve seen in The Rep’s Stiemke Studio. …thought-provoking and brave…worthy addition to The Rep’s 65th season.” Mary Boyle, Ozaukee Living Local
“…tightrope balance between allegory and character study…scenic design is not for the faint of heart. …thoughtful…deft performances…evocative and clever…compelling…engrossing and well-performed…will stick with you…” Jessie Bylander, SplashChicago
PRODUCTION PHOTOS / VIDEO
All photos by Michael Brosilow.
GUARDS AT THE TAJ preview video courtesy of Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
GUARDS AT THE TAJ sneak peak video courtesy of Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
GUARDS AT THE TAJ scene sample courtesy of Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
GUARDS AT THE TAJ Director interview video courtesy of Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
CREATIVE TEAM / CAST
Director: Brent Hazelton +
Scenic Designer: Scott Davis #
Lighting Designer: Noele Stollmack #
Costume Designer: Alison Siple #
Sound Designer: Barry Funderburg #
Dramaturg: Prasenjit Neel Guptasarma
Stage Manager: Richelle Harrington Calin *
Stage Manager: Kaitlin Kitzmiller *
Stage Management Fellow: Kira Neighbors
Assistant Director: Ismael Lara
Cast:
Humayun: Yousof Sultani *
Babur: Owais Azeem *
* AEA + SDC # USA