“What makes me a Christian to you, makes you a Jew to me.” So says the title character in Nathan the Wise, directed by Adam Immerwahr. Originally written in the 18th century as a morality play by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Michael Bloom has written this adaptation making its world premiere. A morality play can have a tough line to walk, especially to a modern audience – to be empathetic and entertaining without being moralizing and pat – and Bloom’s adaptation knocks it out of the park.
Nathan the Wise is directed by Theater J Artistic Director, Adam Immerwahr and is being produced in partnership with Folger Theatre at the Folger Shakespeare Library. The story is set in 12th century Jerusalem, during the Third Crusade, where Jews, Christians, and Muslims live side-by-side in peace—or so they hope. As tensions rise, the ruling sultan asks: “Which religion is the most beloved by G-d?” Lives, and the future of Jerusalem itself, are on the line as the brilliant Jewish merchant Nathan seeks to answer the question.
This play, easily unfamiliar these days, is steeped in German and Jewish history. As Artistic Director Immerwahr spoke before the opening performance, this play had been banned by the Nazi state for its message of religious tolerance and was one of the first to return to the stage in celebration after the war. Bloom’s adaptation is brisk and intelligent. The script takes the first 10 minutes to find its footing, but once it does, the play moves well, blending modern dialogue and reactions with a classical style.
Nathan, played by Eric Hissom – a regular on the Folger stage – served as both the audience’s point of view character and the moral backbone of the show. Hissom’s engaging storytelling made Nathan feel like an old friend and had the audience rooting for him from his first entrance. Hissom’s style is personable and commanding, and his monologues are highlights of the performance. The other major highlight is Hissom’s counterpoint in the Sultan Salah ad-Din, played masterfully by another Folger regular, Maboud Ebrahimzadeh. Ebrahimzadeh never fails to stun, and this performance is no exception. With his naturally commanding presence, the Sultan could easily have become an intimidating character, but Ebrahimzadeh’s charm, understated humor, and control of breath and gesture made him a crowd favorite. Yet when the two share the stage together, the result is a masterpiece performance.
Sharing the stage are Sarah Corey as Sultana Sittah, in a compassionate and capable performance that held up as Ebrahimzadeh’s scene partner. Likewise, Drew Kopas (Templar) and Em Whitworth (Rachel) are dealt tough hands of hyperbolic, intense characters, but they seamlessly carry their characters from one emotional arc to the next. Sorab Wadia (Al-Hafi) and James J. Johnson (Friar) take on chorus, and occasionally clown-like characters, with humor as well as a surprising intensity. Jo Twiss (Daya) and John Lescault (Patriarch) both take on roles that, despite their few scenes, are intensely memorable.
Scenic Designer Paige Hathaway’s set is perfect, evoking the limestone and sunsets of Jerusalem, and it fills the space with precise curved edges that evoke the time and place. Likewise, Lighting Designer Collin K. Bills’ work was spectacular, complementing the set, and underscoring moments of importance. However, it is Iviana Stack’s costume design that will stay with me. Walking the line between medieval and contemporary, the costume design was precise and creative – and Ebrahimzadeh’s suits and Corey’s dresses were stars unto themselves.
Nathan the Wise is a triumph of contemporary adaptation and should not be missed. Though hurry; tickets for this Theater J and Folger Theatre collaboration are selling out quickly.
Running Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes with one intermission
Nathan The Wise plays through April 10, 2022 on The Trish Vradenburg Stage in the Aaron & Cecile Goldman Theater in the Morris Cafritz Center for the Arts in the Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center— 1529 16th Street NW in Washington, DC.
Tickets are available for purchase by calling the box office at 202-777-3210 or by purchasing them online.
Streaming tickets for digital viewing purposes can be found here.
