Tear a Root from the Earth
Photo by Negine Jasmine, 2018
Music by Johnny Walsh and Qais Essar with Gramophonic
Lyrics by Johnny Walsh
Book by John Bair
Developed with and Directed by Marina McClure
Design by Nic Benacerraf and Reza Behjat
Tear a Root from the Earth is a new musical that combines American and Afghan music traditions to tell the story of an Afghan family as it deals with repetitive foreign intervention, first by the Soviets in the 1980s, and then by the Americans in the 21st century. The piece is epic in scope and sound, creating an experience through which audiences can build emotional connections and develop deep understandings of the actions and motivations of the Afghan people that many know only from gory images and devastating headlines. In so doing, we encourage audiences to explore the West’s connection with Afghanistan.
Johnny Walsh and Qais Essar during a workshop at Ice Factory, the New Ohio Theatre, 2017. Photo by Marina McClure.
Melis Aker and Ahmad Maksoud during concert performance at the Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center, 2017. Photo by Marina McClure.
“Relics” performed by Nikki Massoud and Melis Aker. Featuring Qais Essar, Neel Dhillon, and Gramophonic. From a workshop performance at Ice Factory, the New Ohio Theatre, 2017.
“In the Springtime” performed by Melis Aker and Naren Weiss, featuring Qais Essar, Nabeel Riaz, and Gramophonic. Performed on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center, May 5, 2017. © 2017 John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts