Sisyphus in Yaffa

by R. Forest Malley

Syrian-American professor Walid Elsady is invited to deliver a keynote address at a conference in the ancient port city of Yaffa--or, as it is better known in 2021, "Tel Aviv." In denial of the risks involved, he arrives at Ben Gurion Airport with his wife and star student in tow, only to find himself detained without explanation. As he waits in limbo, Walid begins questioning the stories he has told--to his...

Syrian-American professor Walid Elsady is invited to deliver a keynote address at a conference in the ancient port city of Yaffa--or, as it is better known in 2021, "Tel Aviv." In denial of the risks involved, he arrives at Ben Gurion Airport with his wife and star student in tow, only to find himself detained without explanation. As he waits in limbo, Walid begins questioning the stories he has told--to his colleagues, to his wife, to himself – and the compromises he has made to succeed in the West.

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Sisyphus in Yaffa

Recommended by

  • Jojo Jones: Sisyphus in Yaffa by R. Forest Malley
    “

    Impossibly hilarious and heartbreaking while also being as terrifying as being slowly ratcheted up a rollercoaster with a thousand foot drop. To the cowardly dramatic establishment: prove me wrong and produce this immediately!

    Impossibly hilarious and heartbreaking while also being as terrifying as being slowly ratcheted up a rollercoaster with a thousand foot drop. To the cowardly dramatic establishment: prove me wrong and produce this immediately!

    ”
  • jose sebastian alberdi: Sisyphus in Yaffa by R. Forest Malley
    “

    A modern masterpiece. Malley starts us in a place of fast and furious intergenerational comedy before expertly and methodically ratcheting up the tension and unease of Walid's predicament, slowly stripping away any and all comforts and leaving us in a place of deeply upsetting, real life horror. (Although if we've been paying any attention, we'd know it was inevitable.) In a just world this play would be slated for production immediately.

    A modern masterpiece. Malley starts us in a place of fast and furious intergenerational comedy before expertly and methodically ratcheting up the tension and unease of Walid's predicament, slowly stripping away any and all comforts and leaving us in a place of deeply upsetting, real life horror. (Although if we've been paying any attention, we'd know it was inevitable.) In a just world this play would be slated for production immediately.

    ”
  • Miranda Jackel: Sisyphus in Yaffa by R. Forest Malley
    “

    500 characters could never do this astonishingly brilliant play justice. It is gutting, caustic, and epic. This was my first exposure to Malley's singular voice and I was simply bowled over. Please, please produce this play!

    500 characters could never do this astonishingly brilliant play justice. It is gutting, caustic, and epic. This was my first exposure to Malley's singular voice and I was simply bowled over. Please, please produce this play!

    ”
The characters of WALID and SALMA should be played by SWANA actors.
JO should be played by a non-Arab actor of color.

For doubling: the Actor playing Benjy can also play the Shin Bet Officer; the Actor playing Salma can also play Michelle.

Development History

  • Reading, Page 73 Productions, 2025
  • Workshop, Page 73 Productions , 2025