Our Enemies presented by Silk Road Rising at Chicago Temple

Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended

"...this world premiere of “Our Enemies: Lively Scenes of Love and Combat” reveals an exceedingly smart, sophisticated and compelling exploration of Arab-American identity and the opportunities as well as the perils of assimilation."

Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended

"...Our Enemies" is a true multiring cultural identity circus to be sure, but one with a serious subtext. And El Guindi's belief that human nature trumps politics makes the play something special."

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...Though long passages of El Guindi's script amount to a debate on the issues, the show never feels dry because the playwright leavens that debate with humor, sex, and a healthy dose of both intellectually and emotionally honest ambivalence. Patrizia Lombardi Acerra keeps her Silk Road Theatre Project production fluid and passionate."

Windy City Times - Somewhat Recommended

"...While the Our Enemies is flawed in its writing, the assembled cast and all the production values for Silk Road Theatre Project are all top-notch. The cast almost convinces in avoiding the trap of being ideological talking heads, but ultimately Guindi's plotting gets the better of them."

Chicago Free Press - Highly Recommended

"...Despite the weightiness of the material, El Guindi’s fluid story-telling skills, his delicious sense of irony and his bristling dialogue—hurled about the stage with pinpoint accuracy by an excellent ensemble—make this riveting entertainment. Director Patrizia Lombardi Acerra wisely keeps the production simple and moving with well-oiled precision. As with El Guindi’s previous two plays, “Our Enemies” is so engaging that its full implications might not hit until long after the stage goes to dark."

EpochTimes - Highly Recommended

"...This is a well written story of love, lust, hate, fear and a look at the Arab-American community that we do not often get a glimpse into, so besides being excellent theater, it is also a learning experience of a culture that we need to be aware of in the United States.The ending, which I will not reveal will make you think. Not only about the story you have just witnessed, but in fact society itself. This production moves swiftly making the 2 hours plus easy to sit for."

Time Out Chicago - Recommended

"...even with the didactic approach the playwright takes to a scenario Preston Sturges could have set up in his sleep, the He Said/She Said/Then They Boinked Anyway plotline of his new work is still the freshest provocation in this otherwise furrowed-brow look at how Arab Americans are often pitted against one another on post-9/11 soil."

ChicagoCritic - Recommended

"...Our Enemies is a nicely written, fine acted play filled with vivid characters, some humor and lots of sexy action. Who says a play of ideas has to be dull? Not here. El Guindi is a talented storyteller with a keen eye for characterization."