Playwright: Alex Lewin

the Play: The Near East

In Saudi Arabia, one man’s search for an ancient book brings together an ensemble of people struggling to find God amid the world’s most repressive regime.

An American archaeologist has come to Saudi Arabia, searching for a sacred book, Umm al-Kitab, the holiest and oldest scripture. His quest brings together an unlikely ensemble, including an Arab feminist scholar, her secretly gay brother, and the ghost of a precocious Egyptian boy.

Biography

Alex Lewin, a second-year MFA student, has had his work developed at Geva Theatre, The New Group, and Ensemble Studio Theatre. He is the recipient of a commission from EST and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Alex was a finalist in this year’s STAGE International Script Competition. His play Water Street premiered in last year’s Baldwin New Play Festival.