The Mecca Tales

See it if Five muslim women share their personal issues and help each other to move on. Combats prejudice against muslims being regular people.

Don't see it if Sentimental one-dimensional characters who develop in obvious ways. Earnest, but with little humor. I didn’t learn much about Islam.

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 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)

Also BTW there are fashion magazines that make us feel that we should dress a certain way.
This was very moving and relevant to all.... Read more Read less

See it if You want a general feel for the experience of the Hajj and what it might be like to participate, and in stories of Muslim women.

Don't see it if If you aren't interested in stories about women's lives, or stories containing religion or death.

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.

Also This play was informative about the rituals of the Muslim pilgrimage known as the Hajj. The acting was very good and emotionally tugging.

Although this play was about a Muslim pilgrimage, it showed the journey in life that most of us encounter. The stories were told mostly through the eyes of women but the triumphs and tribulations show how much all human beings have in common, whether you have strong religious beliefs or not.

A talk-back after the show was also very interesting and thought-provoking.

I saw this play at the Sheen Center in Oct 2017.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy women's stories.

Don't see it if You get angry watching women under the yoke of religion.

See it if for stories delving into the individual's conflict and the struggle to overcome

Don't see it if you expect more religious emphasis

See it if You appreciate the representation of women of colour on stage. You want to support Muslim artists' work.

Don't see it if You prefer characters who are fully fleshed-out, beyond caricatures of their struggles. You prefer stories that shed a new light on gender.

Also I had such high hopes for this production - what a wonderful opportunity! Muslim women on stage, speaking about their experiences? Goodness knows we need representation and stories like this!

Unfortunately, the piece constructs these characters as entirely one-dimensional and offers a story with little plot development. There is so much potential here - especially with the aid of the beautiful set design - but I would hesitate to recommend the piece unless major edits and revisions are made.... Read more Read less

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

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.

Also Went to see it with my best friend whose father went on the Hajj this year so I figured it would provide her some more perspective... Read more Read less

See it if the story of five Muslim women on a pilgrimage to Mecca and the reasons for their journey interests you.

Don't see it if you have no interest in the Hajj.

Also I thought the play and its subject matter sounded intriguing but for some reason that I have yet to figure out I was unable to be fully involved.... Read more Read less

See it if You have a strong interest in Islam and in American Muslim women.

Don't see it if You do not enjoy plays that are on religious themes and that promote Islam

Also There was something missing here somehow. It seemed almost like a community theater production. The moral, that spiritual transformation is difficult but by being our best authentic selves and accepting the trials and tribulations G*d gives us is how we can best honor G*d, is kind of beaten over the head of the audience. This would seem the type of play that would be good as an educational piece to be shown at an Islamic youth retreat, convention (especially a women's convention) or at a mosque. It is feminist in that the show says that following the wishes of one's father may not necessarily G*d's will and that it's important to be authentic... Read more Read less

See it if You're interested in seeing Muslim women portrayed in a positive light and hearing women's stories

Don't see it if You want a huge set

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.

Also You stay glued, you connect with each of the characters, and you look forward to hearing their stories. The only guy, Louis Sallan, in the cast was great - giving life to support several characters. He was great!!!... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy unconventional theater, women’s stories, and learning more about Muslim experience. It deals with universal themes.

Don't see it if You are intolerant to Muslims.

See it if You like theatre exploring different cultures and religion that connects you to a wide variety of problems that are universal.

Don't see it if You're intolerant to other religions. This is not for you and you most likely need to seek help for your hatred if you think that way.

Also A beautiful piece of theatre that gave me prospective on a world that is unknown to me. Seeing how these women practiced their religion and had overwhelming issues that were overcome through the love and faith of their god was truly inspiring. I love watching this complex piece of theatre and I came out of it learning a little more about myself. No matter what you believe in, that's not what this show is truly about. It shows a universal love and transcendence over one's self that allows you to overcome anything. It is very moving and I highly recommend seeing this while you can.... Read more Read less

See it if Enjoy good personal narrative and dialogue. Want to laugh, cry, and be moved by a story. Want to see an excellent cast.

Don't see it if You want highly technical or dramatic sets rather than focus on characters.

See it if good acting; very good script: the characters' narratives were surprisingly relatable; spiritual & profound without being overly religious

Don't see it if you don't enjoy character-driven plays or topics related to spirituality

See it if U like an intelligent, absorbing story about women. Truly enjoyed it

Don't see it if U don't like religious overtones

See it if you enjoy thoughtful, heart-breaking, yet powerful story of women on stage.

Don't see it if you need overbearing spectacle to enjoy a piece.

See it if You want a beautiful story of Muslim women on Hadj. You want to see a wide range of emotions on stage. You want to be moved & entertained.

Don't see it if You have no interest in Muslim or women's stories.

See it if You're interested in themes of community, self-forgiveness, ritual, transcendence, love. Oh, faith/religion was in there, too.

Don't see it if You hate talk of religion or spiritual awakening, aren't interested in how diverse group of Muslim women might see the world.

Also I was profoundly moved by this play, and hope it gets seen by a wide audience. The point of it is not to explain Islam or anyone's reason to follow it - that goes unquestioned here - but to explore the burdens we carry within us, from a woman's point of view, along with our need to share within a community to help us sort life out. I thought it was beautifully written, acted and staged - sensitive, thoughtful, funny, touching, illuminating. Highly recommend for anyone of any religion who might be interested in recognizing the universality of their beliefs.

Saw this at the beginning of its run, end of October, 2017, Sheen Center.... Read more Read less

See it if you're ready to be whisked away into the lives of five very different women first resisting, then confronting their deepest burdens

Don't see it if you don't want a serious show

Also I came in with little knowledge of Islam, just a Catholic who has enjoyed a good pilgrimage in the past. The play was very accessible to me, despite the cultural differences, and the spiritual beats felt intimately familiar. Some things are just universal.

The small cast was excellent, and was used very, very effectively, notably in the flashback scenes.... Read more Read less