Weekend Passport: Guards at the Taj

Actors Omar Metwally and Arian Moayed in studio
Actors Omar Metwally and Arian Moayed in studio discuss their play "Guards at the Taj" WBEZ
Actors Omar Metwally and Arian Moayed in studio
Actors Omar Metwally and Arian Moayed in studio discuss their play "Guards at the Taj" WBEZ

Weekend Passport: Guards at the Taj

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For this week’s Weekend Passport, we will discuss the Obie winning play “Guards at the Taj,” written by Rajiv Joseph, which premiered in 2015 in New York City.  Set in 1648 India, the play revolves around two imperial guards and best friends, Humayun and Babur, faced with the incredible responsibility of guarding the Taj Mahal, a monument built for the Indian Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan’s wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The play opens with the day the building is unveiled to the world followed by a series of events that will test the guards’ faith in friendship and humanity. Joining us to discuss its debut in Chicago will be actors Omar Metwally and Arian Moayed, who play the role of Humayun and Babur, respectively, and have been with the making of the play since its birth. “Guards at the Taj” will be playing through July 22nd at the Steppenwolf Theatre. Our global citizen, Nari Safavi, will also join us to give you a couple events to help you plan your international weekend!