Jackalope Theatre delivers Dummy in Diaspora to Broadway Armory Park this March for its 17th season. The show is currently celebrating a United States premiere in Chicago after previously playing in the United Kingdom at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
The production is written and performed by queer, Assyrian-American Esho Rasho, who plays a Middle Eastern youngster named Essa throughout the majority of the monologue. This one-person play follows Essa’s personal story from birth to rebirth, and has him mimicking people who have influenced his journey over the years. He reminisces about his religious upbringing and the impact that his Christian faith has had on his life and family.”
The word diaspora refers to people spreading to other locations after leaving their home country. Esho’s Assyrian father sought refuge from Iraq in Chicago where he met his Assyrian mother who immigrated from Lebanon. Esho was born in the Windy City through a complicated birth, and grew up surrounded by ignorance and racism.
Music influences are woven throughout the show. Esho relates to lyrics in tunes ranging from Lady Gaga’s “Judah” track to Jim Henson’s “The Rainbow Connection.”
The set is kept simple, with six rugs strategically placed in various positions and props strewn around to enhance the performance. Religious artifacts, a hookah and cat toys are just a few examples of this. Rasho puffs on a vape sporadically for dramatic effect from the opening beat until the final curtain call.
This DePaul University graduate is a magnetic performer with the ability to both engage and captivate—Rasho has especially expressive eyes and is adept at stage posturing. He displays a youthful energy necessary for the material, but takes his time to explore the show’s messages. Rasho reveals powerful emotions as he explores heart-wrenching issues such as cancer and constrictive stereotypes.
The tale sometimes falls short in the entertainment department but still engages a crowd. A twist with a little more zest could build up to a stopping moment for the finale. Jackalope’s New Works Manager and Director Karina Patel adapted and edited Rasho’s vision. The character of Essa allows creative license and the narrative deserves bigger emotional peaks and valleys.
Dummy in Diaspora leaves several questions unanswered at the end. What will Esho Rasho’s next chapter be? Can people expect a sequel or a second act? Is an autobiographical book or television series in order? What could have been a simple student assignment or vanity project, instead has many possibilities to explore. This Dummy deserves more attention in the future as it evolves into a fully developed essay on Essa.
Dummy in Diaspora draws theatergoers in from now until March 23 at Broadway Armory Park, 5917 N. Broadway St. Tickets are $15-35 and can be found at https://www.jackalopetheatre.org/dummy-in-diaspora or by calling 773-340-2543.