Jackalope Theatre’s “Dummy in Diaspora,” with Esho Rasho/Photo: Joel Maisonet
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Esho Rasho writes and stars in “Dummy in Diaspora,” the one-man show presented by Jackalope Theatre through March 23 at Broadway Armory Park. Rasho plays a host of characters, but mainly Essa, a queer Middle Eastern American teenager moving through life markers toward maturity. Directed by Karina Patel, the play offers a unique perspective on coming to terms with one’s religion, sexuality, family and identity.
Rasho adeptly captures the beautiful but mostly awkward phase from teenager to young adult, with coming-of-age moments like flirting with cute boys, breaking bad habits and experiencing an existential crisis when faced with the potential loss of a loved one. Essa experiments with numerous drugs, but nicotine is the devil he can’t shake from his shoulder, and the addiction is presented as a recurring disembodied voice that tempts him with honey-dipped words like from the lips of a lascivious lover. His parents are Christian refugees whose religious beliefs make it hard for them to accept their son’s queer identity, and the death of a beloved family member leads to a story that is both comedic and dripping with pathos. Essa’s story is unique yet universal, and the “cast” of characters are distinct but familiar.
Jackalope Theatre’s “Dummy in Diaspora,” with Esho Rasho/Photo: Joel Maisonet
Best of all, none of them are perfect, especially Essa, whose flaws make him even more relatable. He barrels through life headfirst, consequences be damned. He takes MDMA for the first time at a nightclub in Europe. (“You mean MDMA is ecstasy?”) He achieves a measure of enlightenment during an impromptu acid trip. He takes his most hazardous leap by coming out as queer and agnostic to his family, and he is questioned by uncles and friends (with different Middle Eastern accents). There’s nothing particularly abnormal or exciting about Essa’s story, and the story’s same sense of familiarity makes it also predictable. But the dramatic way that Essa reacts to these mundane milestones gives the play its unique flavor.
Rasho’s story is supported by scenic design by Olivia Volk, with furniture framed by hanging Persian rugs, like peering into a roofless house from above. Lighting design by Maaz Ahmed and sound design by Newton Schottelkotte match the tone of the show, from a colorful LED-drenched nightclub with music bumping into the spooky metaphysical realm of the nicotine demon.
Rasho and Patel carve out a slice-of-life coming-of-age story that maintains an electric excitement through its brief seventy-minute runtime. Upbeat, fast-paced and heartfelt, “Dummy in Diaspora” is both a delightful play and a capable debut work of a talented writer and performer.
“Dummy in Diaspora” is presented by Jackalope Theatre through March 23 at Broadway Armory Park, 5917 North Broadway. Showtimes are Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays at 7:30pm; and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are $15-$35, available at jackalopetheatre.org.
