Michael’s Journal

As part of Center Stage’s “First Look” Series Michael plays Khadim in this political and personal tale of drama and deception.

Monday, March 31^st

THE NORTH POOL

by Rajiv Joseph
Directed by Gregg Henry
Dramaturg: Kathryn Van Winkle

When Khadim, a Syrian-born student in a large U.S. high school, is called into the vice principal’s office to discuss unexcused absences, the interrogation takes a strange turn, and he’s soon caught in a web of lies about crimes he may (or may not) have committed. Suspicions and accusations lead to a darker truth in this psychological thriller about ill-advised extra-curricular activities.

In their “Downstairs Reading” Michael performs the role of Umar Khazali

The Near East

by Alex Lewin
directed by Gregg Henry
March 24, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Crystal City

Lewin is a graduate student at the University of California at San Diego. In his play, an American archaeologist teams up with an Arab activist to unearth the “Mother of Books,” the oldest scripture, from its resting place in the desert between Mecca and Medina. But their controversial mission affects a number of other characters, including Umar Khazail, a secretly gay Arab radical, a British spy and the ghost of a precocious 13-year-old boy.

Michael had a great time at the Capitol Hill Arts workshop and wants to thank everyone who made it out on a Monday night!  He was glad to see some friends and fellow actors from his alma mater as well as fellow DC Cabaret Network members.  The third time was certainly a charm for Michael and he’s very happy to have delved deeply into two art forms he has come to revere and love, the Cabaret and the One-Man Show.  With MY WELL SCHOOLED HEART, Michael took his love of this intimate form of musical communication along with his passion for sincere, straightforward storytelling, and he’s so glad to know that more than 200 hundred people have shared in this journey with him.

He will be taking a little break from the show while he begins work on a staged reading of “The Near East” directed by Gregg Henry, at Arena Stage’s Downstairs Reading Series, which will show on March 24th.  As for his wonderful music director, Alex Tang, he is already working hard on “Kiss of the Spider Woman” at Signature Theatre.

When asked about his first solo-show, Michael says, “I never felt I was flying solo at all.  I’m so glad to have shared my first ‘one-man’ journey with so many people – who knew that being up on stage all alone wouldn’t feel lonely at all.”