Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Stephen Karam is presenting a holiday family drama show with American Theatre Company ( ATC ) this season. The Humans depicts a family facing modern problems from health to unhappiness.
ATC company member Sadieh Rifai plays the older daughter Aimee, a newly single lesbian stuck with a dysfunctional family at Thanksgiving.
Rifai has performed as an understudy in Steppenwolf's August: Osage County and Silk Road Theatre's Merchant of Venice. Her ATC credits include It's a Wonderful Life, Columbinus, and The Amish Project among others. She's appeared in the movie Wise Kids that won awards at Out Fest and the NYC LGBT Film Festival.
Windy City met with her after a performance one night.
Windy City Times: Hi, Sadieh. Where are you from?
Sadieh Rifai: I am from all over. I consider Illinois home but we moved all over the place—about 13 times when I was younger. I went to Illinois State University first, so I was in Bloomington. That is where I studied theater. I have been in the city for nine years.
WCT: What is your nationality?
Sadieh Rifai: My father is Palestinian and my mom is Swedish—Swedish-Arab rockin' the house. You probably don't meet many Swedish-Arabs!
WCT: Not every day. How did you become a part of The Humans?
Sadieh Rifai: I am an ensemble member here. I've worked on Stephen Karam's plays before. I have done two other ones. I've worked with PJ Paparelli, the ATC artistic director, a ton. When PJ approached me I hadn't seen a script but said, "Absolutely."
WCT: Is this your first lesbian role?
Sadieh Rifai: I have actually played a lot of lesbians. It is usually frumpy lesbians but this one is sick. I think I have a masculine side to me so that bodes well for me when they are casting not necessarily a lesbian but a more masculine female. I think I have that energy sometimes so for some reason that has taken me into lesbian roles.
WCT: I recently interviewed a lesbian actress that can't get cast lesbian roles.
Sadieh Rifai: It is the exact opposite for me but I love the characters that I have played. I never play the ingenue perfect type woman. I'm always playing a woman conflicted with something or in some sort of turmoil.
WCT: Watching this play as a gay person it made me think about coming home for the holidays and how difficult that can be. People don't know what to say to a LGBT member of the household sometimes.
Sadieh Rifai: Yes, and we decided that this family is religious and they accept their daughter. We thought about how the coming out process happened. It's not perfect but they deal with it. Carol, who plays my ex, was someone they loved and who was part of the family, whatever feelings they have on gay marriage, they tried hard with their daughter's lesbian relationship. They wanted to incorporate this storyline so that it wasn't some stereotypical family who doesn't want to know about Carol. When you have been in a relationship forever, after it ends, it effects the family. That it is how it trickled down into the family. She was important.
WCT: The mother of the family makes an effort by sending emails...
Sadieh Rifai: She wants me to know that it is really sad when these kids kill themselves because they don't have the support that I have in my family.
WCT: It made me think of the movie Home for the Holidays.
Sadieh Rifai: You are right! It is set up making the audience curious about things. What are the family secrets?
WCT: Where does the title come from?
Sadieh Rifai: It is one of those things where they are different interpretations after seeing it. Lance Baker's character talks about the monsters in the comic books. I think it is a play on all of that.
WCT: How was performing in Hedwig and the Angry Inch?
Sadieh Rifai: Oh, my God—that is one of my all-time favorite shows. I would give a million dollars right now to go and see John Cameron Mitchell come back for the role on Broadway. I was obsessed with the movie and the music so when PJ, who also directed that, asked me to cut off my hair and wear a beard, I was willing to do it. I did not make an attractive man, whatsoever.
My mom was in the audience and because Yitzhak was moving things around onstage she thought I was a really unfortunate stage hand. It wasn't until I started singing that she knew it was me. She thought I was hideous as a man.
That was one of my favorite things I have done in Chicago. That was about six years ago. I was new to the company and it was a dream role. That music and story is so special. It is not for everybody. If you try to explain the "Angry Inch" song to anyone, it is not easy.
WCT: I interviewed Lena Hall one time. [She] had a small role in Kinky Boots, then went on to win the Tony for Hedwig.
Sadieh Rifai: I remember her. She transformed from the glam winner of the Tony to that part. That is amazing! I am so glad the show has come back in a big way.
WCT: You went to the School at Steppenwolf?
Sadieh Rifai: Yes, back in 2006. That was again one of the first things I did in the city. It is the best training I could ever ask for.
WCT: The Humans has a Steppenwolf feel to it.
Sadieh Rifai: Yes, it is very ensemble-based. Kelly O' Sullivan, who played my sister, and I both did the school. To any youth who is in our ensemble I suggest applying to that school. It is the best training I could have ever had. I came into the city trying to find my place and came out of it a new person and actor.
WCT: I have seen Keith Kupferer, who plays your father, in other shows.
Sadieh Rifai: He was just in Steppenwolf's The Qualms. He's done so much. He's a really good actor, but don't tell him because he will get a big head! [Laughs]
WCT: The Humans will be going on to New York?
Sadieh Rifai: The show was already commissioned for Roundabout Theatre so they let us have this premiere in Chicago. They already have a cast set up in New York.
WCT: I heard Joe Mantello, from The Normal Heart, is directing it there.
Sadieh Rifai: Yes, it is going to be incredible. There are Tony Award-winning people in it.
WCT: You have to go to New York and see it.
Sadieh Rifai: I will, but it will be a little bit sad to be in the audience. I am happy for them but I want to be in it. I want to see how it is different though.
WCT: Congrats on an extended run.
Sadieh Rifai: Thank you. We didn't expect it. We knew it was an awesome play and we were having a lot of fun but it has really hit home with people. It is one of those plays like August: Osage County that transcends religion, ethnicity, and speaks to every family. When the audience hears the Weight Watchers line about points there is a huge group that always laughs hysterically!
WCT: I related to the losing a job part.
Sadieh Rifai: Oh, no. Well, at least you don't have ulcerated colotis like I do in the play.
WCT: That could be next—Merry Christmas to me! What are your plans after the run of this show?
Sadieh Rifai: I am not sure. Maybe we can be unemployed, watch Hedwig on video, and eat ice cream in our pajamas!
The Humans closes Feb. 1, so run over to see this Jeff-recommended play at 1909 W. Byron St., with double shows on the weekends. Visit www.atcweb.org or call 773-409-4125 for tickets and details.
For more on Rifai check out sadiehrifai.com .
