Pretty Shahid

Jackalope Theatre Companyis proud to present the world premiere of Pretty Shahid, at Jackalope Theatre in the Broadway Armory,5917 N. Broadway, June 16 – July 23, written by company member Omer Abbas Salem, directed by Sophiyaa Nayar, with associate direction by company member Nadya Naumann. 

Pretty Shahid shares the story of the Kazem family who immigrated to Chicago from Iraq and are attempting to assimilate and live when 9/11 happens. This romantic comedy uses classic film tropes to examine identity and which knots one chooses to untie to become the ideal American. It is a play about self discovery that was born and developed at Jackalope and is the company’s first production centered in the Muslim, SWANASA (South West Asian, North African, and South Asian) diaspora.

Jackalope Theatre Company, now in its fifteenth season, is committed to cultivating theatre that expands the definition of American identity by engaging with our communities to produce works that celebrate diverse perspectives. Each season, the company produces full-length plays in Broadway Armory Park and a series of ancillary new play development programming. All of this is done in the epicenter of the Edgewater community, enhancing the cultural vibrancy of the Thorndale Station corridor. 

Previews are Friday, June 16 and Saturday, June 17 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, June 18 at 3 p.m. and Monday, June 19 at 7:30 p.m. with the press opening Tuesday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m. The regular performance schedule is Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m with an Industry Night, Monday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m. The running time, including the intermission, is currently 2 hours and 15 minutes. Tickets for Pretty Shahid are now on sale, $15 – $35, and may be purchased through the Box Office by calling 773.340.2543 or by visiting JackalopeTheatre.com.