Jamals Here … A Bit Longer
Local artists Mo and Shahla Jamal, who were told by the Immigration and Naturalization Service that they and their four sons had until Jan. 13 to leave the country voluntarily or face forced deportation, did not leave Austin this week. Attorney Sam Haddad filed an appeal with the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Paul, Minn., to reconsider the family’s request for asylum — the Jamals left Iran in 1985 after a run-in with the government there, but their stay here has been complicated by an earlier residence in Germany — and with it a motion to stay the deportation on behalf of the family. That buys the family at least a little more time in the land they’ve called home for eight years and where they want to remain.
Before the Parade Passes By
… another season will have to begin. That’s the word from Dave Steakley, who is itching to stage the Jason Robert Brown–Alfred Uhry musical Parade at the Zachary Scott Theatre Center but has decided this isn’t the year to do it after all. The show, which was scheduled to open May 15 on the Kleberg Stage, has been postponed to the 2003-04 season. Blame the usual culprit: the economy. Parade is a big show, in terms of cast, scenery, and set, and the subject matter and lack of familiarity make it a risky proposition in even the best of times, which these aren’t. “In this season, I’m afraid it would be financially perilous to Zach,” says the artistic director. “And like several years ago with Gospel at Colonus, it is a project I am passionate about and not willing to compromise on.” So Terrence McNally‘s Love! Valour! Compassion!, directed by Matt Lenz (Dirty Blonde), jumps from the Arena Stage to the Kleberg for a March 22 opening, and Warren Leight‘s Side Man, directed by Steakley, is pushed back to a May 15 opening. That leaves a gap in the Arena Stage schedule this spring, and an announcement of the show to fill it should be forthcoming. For more info, call 476-0541.
This article appears in January 17 • 2003.