The Real Chicago

Top Menu

  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

Main Menu

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login
  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

logo

Header Banner

The Real Chicago

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
  • Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

  • New on the scene: Recapping recent restaurant and bar openings in Chicago

  • The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Outdoor drinking: A guide to some of our favorite beer gardens and rooftops in Chicago

  • A day at the museum: Exploring the iconic Field Museum in Chicago

First Look - Reviews
Home›featured-blogs›First Look - Reviews›First Look review: The Goodman’s “Yasmina’s Necklace” is a heartwarming love story told through a unique lens

First Look review: The Goodman’s “Yasmina’s Necklace” is a heartwarming love story told through a unique lens

By TheRealChicagoOnline
November 11, 2017
733
0
Share:

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

By Michael Dritto

Playing at: The Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, through Nov. 19. www.GoodmanTheatre.com

Basic Storyline: Following the wake of an emotionally taxing divorce, we are introduced to Sam (Michael Perez), a 30-year-old Muslim man who seems to be shameful of his heritage. Holding marriage as such a high criterion, his parents (Armo Salama and Laura Crotte) look to match him up with an Iraqi refugee (Susaan Jamshidi) who is prideful of hers. Reluctantly, a romantic connection begins to blossom as they sift through each other’s emotional baggage and teach each other how to heal from their past wounds.

Yasmina’s Necklace is speckled with honest, family moments while having the ability to tackle serious themes such as racism, culture identity and prejudice.

What stood out: From start to finish, the whole play is well-paced, emotionally engaging and well acted. It’s difficult to pick standout performances from such a talented ensemble, but I could not help but feel elated every time Laura Crotte (Sara) or Rom Barkhordar (Musa) were on stage. Both played the respective parents of the two leads. While adding levity to each scene, each of their characters were both deeply fleshed out and grounded.

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

The strength of their performances helped add color and context to the depth of their characters, all while shining a light on the culture of the Muslim religion to allow Jamshidi (Yasmina) and Perez (Sam) to embellish in incredibly honest, effective moments that create the pillars for which the show stands.

I always love seeing Goodman shows because I know, if anything, I will love just looking at the set. This was no exception. The basic layout is simple in design, but it displays character on its own with the stage being split down the middle, with a more lavish dining room on the left side of the stage and a more economic apartment living room on the right. What I loved most, however, was a large arching row of windows of Arabic design hanging above both households, which stayed illuminated during the whole show. I thought it was a beautiful piece of physical storytelling, holding the theme of their culture above them at all times, tying into areas of conflict for individual characters.

Final Thoughts: Yasmina’s Necklace is speckled with honest, family moments while having the ability to tackle serious themes such as racism, culture identity and prejudice. It is both entertaining and informative, and a nice reminder that at the end of the day, we are all the same people. A much needed reminder in this day and age.

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

TagsChicago TheatreGoodman TheatreThe Real ChicagoYasmina's Necklace
Previous Article

The Big City Blog: We have eight ...

Next Article

First Look review: The Field Museum’s “Ancient ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • We Ask, They Answer

    We Ask, They Answer: Q&A with Sapori Trattoria owner/chef Tony Barbanente

    March 11, 2017
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Local Corner

    The Local Corner: Exploring the Damen and Lawrence intersection in Ravenswood

    January 28, 2018
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: Playing Chicago tour guide for out-of-town friends can be rather enjoyable

    October 19, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • First Look - Reviews

    First Look review: Second City’s “Unelectable You” is a rollicking, tongue-in-cheek mockery of the 2016 election

    August 8, 2016
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • General Features

    Logan Square at night: Bar hopping provides a glimpse into what makes this one of Chicago’s hottest neighborhoods

    July 11, 2019
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: Still feeling the Christmas spirit after the fact? Check out these extended holiday activities and exhibits

    December 30, 2017
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Coffee craze: Exploring the best, most unique independent coffee shops Chicago has to offer

  • Around TownGeneral FeaturesOther Recent Articles

    A day at the museum: Exploring the iconic Field Museum in Chicago

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    An ode to good beer: The welcome influx of Chicago craft breweries

  • LATEST REVIEWS

  • TOP REVIEWS

Timeline

  • November 11, 2021

    Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

  • July 31, 2019

    Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & Ash

  • July 30, 2019

    First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater experience

  • July 28, 2019

    Finger lickin’ good: Six trusted Chicago spots for a stellar barbecue experience

  • July 25, 2019

    The Big City Blog: Four Friday Night Flights beer tastings remain this summer, including July 26 in Ravenswood

Latest Comments

  • The 14 Best Fireplaces in Chicago | UrbanMatter
    on
    October 11, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: The Real Chicago […]

    Cozy on up: We asked active Chicagoans for their favorite spots to warm up in the ...

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum | FreeForAll.org
    on
    January 16, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum – FreeForAll.org
    on
    October 23, 2016
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • The Real Chicago – The Big City Blog: A very Chicago night on the town
    on
    May 31, 2016
    […] up was The Redhead Piano Bar for drinks and live music. I’ve said it before ...

    Friendly, unfussy, and serious about music: Hanging with Marshall Nelson from the Redhead Piano Bar

  • Scouting Logan Square: A Renewed Historical Neighborhood - The Annex, a blog by Casamatic
    on
    March 10, 2016
    […] (cover photo via The Real Chicago) […]

    The rise of Logan Square: Why this diverse area has quickly become one of Chicago’s hottest ...

Find us on Facebook

Originally launched in 2006, The Real Chicago — as a glossy entertainment magazine, website and email newsletter — has consistently provided the very best insider information, features and reviews to help both tourists and active locals get the most out of exploring the greatest city on Earth.
  • Latest Posts

  • Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    November 11, 2021
  • Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 31, 2019
  • First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 30, 2019

Photostream

    Follow us

    © Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.