Join us for an unforgettable evening of powerful songs from Mornings in Jenin Musical, with reception to follow!

Meem Collective presents a sneak peek concert presentation of Mornings in Jenin Musical, an original musical in development, created by Amal Bisharat with music written in collaboration with Bahar Royaee, and adapted from the internationally bestselling novel by susan abulhawa.

This female-driven story follows Amal Abulheja, a Palestinian refugee born in Jenin Refugee Camp after her family was forcibly displaced from their olive-farming village of Ein Hod during the 1948 Nakba. Spanning generations, the musical is a love story—about what it means to love someone, to love home, and how that love can never actually be lost.

With a stellar cast of singers and a dynamic six-member fusion ensemble featuring oud, bass, guitar, synthesizer, electronics, drums and Arabic percussion, the musical blends contemporary alt-pop with traditional Arabic instrumentation, creating a surreal atmospheric realism that immerses audiences into a space of empathy, reflection, and cross-cultural understanding.

This one-night concert offers audiences a special opportunity to experience the music of this developing new musical while supporting its journey toward a full production. Immediately following the concert, we will have a toast and reception where the audience can meet the artists and learn more about how to support the project.

This concert is funded by San Francisco Arts Commission, with special thanks to A.C.T. and Golden Thread Productions.

Doors open at 7:30; the performance runs about 60 minutes with reception to follow.

Featuring

Vocals
Sophia Alawi • Déa Julien • Sleiman Alahmadieh • Aidaa Peerzada • Amal Bisharat

Ensemble
Bahar Royaee (synthesizer, electronics, piano) • Matt Wright (oud) • Jim Grippo (qanun) • Paul Westwater (guitar) • Nick Waters (bass, guitar) • Stefanos Athinaios (percussion, drums) • Miles Lassi (drums) • Jord Liu (piano)

Team
Directed by Amal Bisharat
Artistic Producer Marina Johnson
Lights Max Bowman
Sound Design Bahar Royaee
Production Assistant Barbara Lyon