A play presented by the InterAct Theatre Co.

Courtesy of Metcalfe Architecture & Design, LLC
the 45th president’s stance on repre-
sentative democracy to the meaning of
Western identity. Th eir last heated text
exchange was a little over two years
ago before the pandemic even broke
out in the United States, according to
Rozin. Th e men are still friends today, but
they only really discuss two topics.

“We can’t have a conversation other
than, ‘how are your kids and happy
birthday,’” the playwright said.

Th ere was never one “big, searing
fi ght,” Rozin added. Just a series of
heated, frustrating and ultimately
unproductive exchanges.

“We know it’s not going to be produc-
tive. It’s not rational and healthy for us,”
Rozin said. “I just fi nd it deeply sad.”
Th e playwright still views his friend’s
beliefs as “irrational,” so he didn’t base
a character on his friend. He said he
wanted the characters in “Settlements”
to be emotional, at times, but never
irrational. “It’s something that’s thoughtful and
provocative without being a grenade.

I’m not trying to be provocative to be
provocative,” Rozin added. “I’m trying
to be provocative in a way that’s stimu-
lating discourse.”
“Settlements” will run from April 1-24
on Wednesday and Th ursday at 7 p.m.,
42 MARCH 31, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM
Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday
at 2 p.m. Most performances at the 121-
seat Proscenium Th eatre at the Drake at
302 S. Hicks St., which is playing at 75%
capacity due to COVID restrictions, will
be followed by a conversation between
Rozin and the audience.

Th e playwright said that’s the part
he’s most looking forward to.

“We’re going to have some really
good, lively conversations aft er the
show,” he added.

David Winitsky, the show’s director,
believes it will work because theater is
an art form well-suited to asking diffi -
cult questions.

“Th eater is a thick medium,” he
said. “You’re going to sit, you’re going
to be in it for a chunk of time, and
that’s the only way to get into these
conversations.” Becca Khalil, an actor in the play,
thinks that calling people out, out of
love, can be an attempt to bridge a gap,
and the play does call people out, out
of love.

“I love calling people out, I love get-
ting called out and I love engaging in
diffi cult conversations,” she explained.

“It’s the only thing that brings us
together as people.” JE
jsaff ren@midatlanticmedia.com