There’s a reason why Antigone, written approximately 2,464 years ago by the Greek playwright Sophocles, holds up as a staple in modern world theater culture to this very day.  Through its titular protagonist, “an anti-fascist, feminist hero”, the play explores many complicated themes: justice versus tyranny, personal moral duty versus obedience, religious faith versus human laws, and gender roles in a patriarchal society.  Antigone has been studied, analyzed, written about, performed, reinterpreted, and adapted into various forms of media (including opera, TV, and cinema) many, many times throughout the centuries. Antigone was the subject of a Judith Butler book, Antigone’s Claim in 2000.  Hey, the play even made its way into the 1981 camp classic Mommie Dearest, which is pretty awesome.  It could easily be argued that in these turbulent times in American and world history, Sophocles’ play is more relevant than ever as we enter the second half of 2025.  

One person for whom Antigone the play holds a personal meaning is Pakistani-American theater director-educator-writer Adil Mansoor.  Mansoor’s extremely personal, inspiring one-man show Amm(i)gone, now enjoying its New York premiere at The Flea, explores the artist’s evolving relationship with his mother as they work on interpreting Antigone, a play which they both appreciate, into Urdu.  Urdu is his mother’s native language, which Adil absolutely loves hearing her speak.  The “Ammi” of the play’s title, in fact, means “mother” in Urdu.  It may be useful to state at this point that Mansoor is an openly out and proud queer man who is very involved with his local LGBTQ community… and his mother is a hijabi Quranic scholar who, according to Mansoor, “prays from sunset to sunrise”.  The audience learns that Adil’s mother was, in the performer’s own words, his best friend– actually, his ONLY friend– in childhood.  Growing up feeling “different” wasn’t easy, but it was through discovering theater in high school– with its joys of live performance– where Mansoor really “found himself” and, perhaps for the first time ever, didn’t feel quite so “different” anymore. An affinity for the theater wasn’t Adil’s only personal discovery.  In college, he also found true love for the first time, which he kept hidden from his family.  When a snoopy relative outed him, it caused a change in the oh-so-close relationship between Mansoor and his mother– which the artist is working through every day. Amm(i)gone is that story. The gap between parents and children have always been a fruitful source of inspiration for many theater pieces, but Adil Mansoor’s story is much more multifaceted than just an exploration of “generational differences”. As Adil diplomatically states, “There’s a lot about my life which my mom struggles to understand…”  But there is indeed hope. Towards the end, Adil told us about a phone call from his mother which spoke volumes in just a few words.  I won’t say too much about it, but I will say that it provoked a reaction from the audience en masse

Amm(i)gone is an incredibly intelligent and provocative piece; It’s a bold and highly original theatrical experience guaranteed to produce many post-show discussions.  Mansoor isn’t afraid to share the more painful aspects of his story (The list of “forbidden topics” or even “forbidden WORDS” when speaking to his mother can sometimes be difficult to listen to.), yet his optimism at working on their relationship is inspiring.  The show is also often VERY funny, thanks to Mansoor’s own personal charisma.  It isn’t easy to be on stage alone for over 90 minutes discussing personal stories; In the hands of someone less dynamic, the work could come across as overly precious or too sentimental.  Amm(i)gone is also bolstered by some creative touches, including projections and audio of actual phone calls with his mother, which are absolutely charming.  Mansoor also shares many vintage personal photographs and videos, one of which is a grainy home video of Adil reading the Quran for the first time at age 7. The set design creates a cozy, warm, inviting setting which is perfectly suited for the intimacy of this piece.  

Amm(i)gone is highly recommended! 

PlayCo, Woolly Mammoth Theatre, The Flea, and Kelly Strayhorn Theater present the New York premiere of AMMIGONE—stylized as Amm(i)gone—created, co-directed and performed by Adil Mansoor and co-directed by Lyam B. Gabel.  Performances continue through April 14, 2025 at The Flea (20 Thomas Street, New York, NY): Mondays & Thursdays at 7PM; Fridays & Saturdays at 8PM; and Sundays at 3PM.  Visit  Amm(i)gone — The Flea for tickets, information on special events, and much more. 

(Photos by Julieta Cervantes.)