The Talented Ones
by Yussef El Guindi

THE TALENTED ONES looks at the thwarted dreams of immigrants eager to make it in their adopted country.

As converts to the American Dream, how much more challenging and lethal do the notions of success and failure become?

Omar is falling down in his attempts to make a success of his life, while his wife, Cindy, a fellow immigrant, appears to be doing much better, and is becoming increasingly frustrated by Omar’s struggles.

His American best friend, Patrick, may be Cindy's way out.

Mixing realism with memory and dance, THE TALENTED ONES dissects with increasing ferocity this couple's marriage and aspirations.“In a world where immigrants are often seen as monolithic others, this play, written by an immigrant, opens a window on their challenges and struggles … El Guindi’s script is spirited, profane, hilarious and pointed; line after line leaves its mark.”

—Amy Wang, The Oregonian/OregonLive.com“Innovative, darkly funny work … In his plays, El Guindi tends to explore the experiences of immigrants and people of color, and the complex, troubling racial dynamics that can play out in the most seemingly progressive places … The dialogue is quippy, sharp-edged, and so full of subtly disappointed pronouncements that much of it wouldn’t be out of place in a Wes Anderson movie … What’s especially powerful about THE TALENTED ONES is that it deviates from many ‘good immigrant’ narratives that reduce immigrant characters — whether real or imagined — to blandly virtuous caricatures … El Guindi’s risky, weird comedy is enough to keep you in your seat.”

—Megan Burbank, The Portland Mercury“The new play is just offbeat enough to be unexpectedly funny and bizarre … THE TALENTED ONES’ worldview still manages to be kind of beautiful — knife wounds and all.”

—Shannon Gormley, Willamette Week“There is comedy — side-splitting and dark.

It’s a haunting play because the truths are so real and the action so raw … A play that should have no problems finding its way into theaters across the country.”

—Judy Nerdy, Judy Nerdy Play Reviews