The Mecca Tales NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (28)
See it if You love great stories of love, forgiveness, resilience, self-worth. A story powerfully portrayed by the cast.
Don't see it if You're only interest in big production musicals. Read more
See it if you have the chance to. Overall a great performance from the entire cast. Must see for everyone, very relatable. Perfectly written & casted.
Don't see it if nothing bad to say, go see this powerful play.
See it if you want to see women of different backgrounds come together. See problems of varying severity be addressed as they try to find themselves
Don't see it if you hate seeing women centered stories. Want an in depth analysis of Islam itself. Need a big production to enjoy yourself. Read more
See it if You are curious about the hajj. Female characters acting out personal stories within the larger frame of the difficulties of a pilgrimage.
Don't see it if the format of stories within stories or women's lives do interest you.
See it if you want to see an emotionally compelling play, mostly about women, who bond as they share common goals, fears, beliefs and regrets.
Don't see it if don't like shows about strong-minded women; or don't want to hear about the journey of Muslim women. Read more
See it if you enjoy a very moving drama. While on a pilgrimage to Mecca, 5 women tell their tales. Very moving, intelligent show. Nice staging.
Don't see it if you are anti Muslim although this wonderful show may change your mind.
See it if you can put aside labels and see how 5 women deal with personal issues through faith and/or ritual
Don't see it if if you cannot see women in a hijab without finding it repressive; if you cannot see it as part of who they are (see below) Read more
See it if You like a play with great set design, costumes. Beautifully done.
Don't see it if You don’t want to learn about islam
Critic Reviews (4)
"Using a sly hand, Malik dispenses information through rapid fire thoughtful humor and honest dialogue that flows naturally. Fahmy's direction, Esler's scenic design, and Kengmana's lighting embrace this seamless quality by treating the show as if it were one beautiful dream sequence...It is undeniable that 'Mecca' wraps things up too tidily, however that resolution feels earned and gratifying. Like the production team, the entire cast is flawlessly marvelous."
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"'The Mecca Tales' is an earnest drama that rests its overarching optimism on an individual humanism (facilitated, in the climax of play, by a community of women). With its heterogenous characters, it also works against any monolithic notion of Muslim womanhood. Malik's foregrounding of underrepresented voices enriches the tapestry of contemporary American theater."
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"Playwright Malik successfully makes the pilgrimage more relatable...The production is fortunate to have an excellent cast...The whole group has a great chemistry that makes them enjoyable to watch together onstage. For a touching, humorous look at a transformative religious journey, as seen through the eyes of women, make your pilgrimage to the Sheen Center to see 'The Mecca Tales.'"
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“This relatable and entertaining play shares five very diverse stories about Muslim women participating in a Hajj Pilgrimage. The actors are all professionals who are very convincing. At times, they need to plow through unrealistic dialogue but the play is informative and engaging. I think even as a piece of contemporary women's fiction, it provides a platform for lively discussion. It is also an easy way to learn a bit more about Islam.”
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