Iraq is really funny at Lookingglass

Maybe, if every complex geopolitical history was turned into a moving and hysterically funny show like Atra Asdou’s world premiere Iraq, But Funny, we would all be in a better place and the planet wouldn’t be in such a dark time. 

This new show is truly amazing in that it self consciously calls out colonization, the devastation of racist policies over the last century, the deep lies of politicians, and connects all the dots on the middle eastern chess board including a lot of why we are currently seeing what we are seeing in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict—-- all done while we are sipping delicious themed specialty cocktails that reference the show and we are laughing heartily as if at a comedy club.  This show traces a matrilineal lineage of Assyrian women, and the inherent feminism of women who survive patriarchal history, as well as a deeply personal family story of love, loss, dysfunction and family ties, all narrated by The English Gentleman, acronym TEG, who steals priceless artifacts, lies, threatens, and explains everything, while clutching the narrative throughline in his entitled ,wrongheaded hands.  Generations of Assyrian women marry, have children, escape genocide and racial wars and tell their daughters that their life is not theirs, their life is for the next generation until finally, finally in America, a girl is told,by the ghost of her grandmothers, to have her own life. I will be honest, I cried. But that was after laughing so hard during the two hour and 15 minute show that I got a stitch in my side, and I was not alone. Later I was astounded that I was laughing so hard at tragedy, and generational trauma but perhaps laughter is the antidote to the poison of colonialism and wars. 

World history as entertainment: why not? This work cannot help but be political and yet it is humanistic and kind. There is a darkness lurking at the corners, but as in the tradition of fools and clowns, we laugh to cover our pain. We laugh to soften the truth until it is palatable to digest.

Director Dalia Ashurin has led this tiny cast of six wonderful actors into a beautiful ensemble of epic proportions to tell a story that we cannot stop watching and relating to. Mara Blumenfeld’s costumes telescope the comedic aspects and character and place and time the way costumes should.  Michael Salvatore Commendatore’s projections will blow you away with historical specificity. This is a work of genius. You need to see it and drag your family to see it. Really, don’t miss this. Actually you can’t miss it totally since much of the plot points are playing out on CNN and Fox anyway. But it's much better in the theatre. 

Iraq, But Funny is playing at Lookingglass Theatre Company Joan and Paul Theatre, 163 East Pearson in Chicago’s Water Tower most Tuesdays through Sundays through July 20, 2025. There are a number of special events connected with the play if you want a deeper dive. And check out the art in the lobby for more visual takes on the subject matter. For tickets and information go to https://lookingglasstheatre.org/event/iraq-but-funny/

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