Is Resistance Futile?

Last year, Beautiful Resistance: Confessions of a Hoosier in Palestine was lauded by this very paper as the "Best Play You Didn't See." Magan Wiles' one-woman show was inspired by her summer in Israeli-occupied Palestine, and it details the lives and dreams of Fayrouz, a college-age girl stuck in the Balata refugee camp, and Skipper, a young Hamas fighter. The reality of bombs, military strikes and the ever-present threat of sudden violence collides with the optimism of youth, obscuring but never quite obliterating their spirits. Now expanded by Wiles into a six-person production that utilizes the method of Playback Theatre — a form of improvisation that uses audience participation — Beautiful Resistance enjoys a three-show run at the Xavier Hall Theatre on the campus of Saint Louis University (3733 West Pine Mall; www.playbackworkshop.com or 314-773-2819). Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday (July 11 to 13). There is a suggested donation of $10 at the door, which benefits Al-Rowwad Children's Theatre in Bethlehem.
July 11-13, 2008