CHICAGO (January 16, 2014) About Face Theatre and Silk Road Rising are pleased to present the
Chicago premiere of Brahman/i: A OneHijra Stand Up Comedy Show, by Aditi Brennan Kapil,
directed by AFT Artistic Director Andrew Volkoff and featuring Fawzia Mirza in the title role. This bold, comic exploration of cultural and sexual identity plays March 27 – April 27, 2014 at Silk Road Rising, Pierce Hall at the Historic Chicago Temple Building, 77 W. Washington St. in Chicago.
In this provocative play masquerading as a standup comedy routine, an Indian intersex person, or “hijra,” explores history, mythology, gender roles... and high school. Brahman/i – funny, cynical,
inventive and intensely charismatic – takes on more than a dozen unforgettable characters in a
fascinating life story that most of us can barely even begin to imagine.
“We are thrilled to be producing the Chicago premiere of this adventurous new play with our friends at Silk Road Rising,” comments About Face Artistic Director Andrew Volkoff. “The missions of our theaters dovetail seamlessly in this story, offering us a rare opportunity to work together and tell a truly unique story. Using stand up comedy to blow apart preconceptions of gender and cultural identities, Brahman/i truly highlights what it means to be an outsider, embracing who you are, and the power of unconditional love. I’m excited to see Kapil’s creation come to life in Fawzia Mirza’s hands as her considerable comedy skills illuminate the play’s touching, humorous, in your face humanity.”
"What an absolute honor it is to be partnering with About Face on this hilariously bold new play,” adds Silk Road Rising Artistic Director Jamil Khoury. “If there is such a thing as ‘stand up decolonization,’ Kapil nails it. Colonized minds, colonized bodies and colonized histories all get roasted in a no holds barred, soulbaring comedy blowout as daringly funny as it is defiantly honest. Brahman/i reminds us that heritage can be a wellspring of courage and creativity – and that the body never lies, it merely asks questions. Whoever knew that intersectionalities could be so much fun?"