Nothing burns quite like a dark family history.

Syracuse Stage’s production of “Scorched” explores the meaning of family and the long-lasting effects of war. The play runs from Oct. 23 to Nov. 10. Tickets are $18 for students and children younger than 18 and $30-52 for the general public.

“Scorched” tells the story of twins Janine and Simon after their mother, Nawal, dies. As part of her will, Nawal leaves a letter for each of her children, compelling them to go on a journey: Janine to find her father and Simon to find his brother. Their search leads them to the Middle East, where they uncover family secrets that not only explain why their mother was always so cold and reserved, but also why they themselves exist.

Writer Wajdi Mouawad drew inspiration for his war-riddled play from his own life experiences; he and his family fled from Beirut in 1975 when he was 6 years old to escape the Lebanese Civil War. Although a specific country is never named in “Scorched,” the scenery, music, characters’ names and events indicate that it’s based on the war Mouawad lived through. These events are still relevant today, as Syria, Egypt and other Middle Eastern nations are struggling with violent resistance. Mouawad was also inspired by Greek tragedies and Franz Kafka, according to a press release.

“Scorched” director Marcela Lorca is using stark sets and a surreal style to present the play, which consists of such intense content that a more literal interpretation may be too extreme for audiences. The play deals with birth, torture, war and rape — to be presented in a way that won’t soften reality, but also won’t overwhelm the audience with dread.

Lorca said what keeps “Scorched” from becoming a pure tragedy is the hope that permeates throughout the play. She said the point is not necessarily to pity the characters as they discover the darkness of their family history, but to question whether something new and powerful can come out of a cycle of abuse.

One interesting feature of this production is the addition of the Kronos Quartet, a world-renowned string quartet that has performed thousands of concerts worldwide, released more than 50 recordings and commissioned more than 800 works and arrangements. The Grammy Award-winners will provide transition music for “Scorched” and will also put on a concert at 8 p.m. on Nov. 2 in Setnor Auditorium.

“Scorched” will also be augmented by two discussions. The first, “Listening to ‘Scorched’: Women, War and Resistance,” will take place at 6 p.m. on Oct. 26 in the Arthur Storch Theatre at Syracuse Stage. SU professor Carol Fadda-Conrey will moderate the discussion, and it will also include professors Dana Olwan from SU, Neelika Jayawardane from The State University of New York at Oswego and Aisha Musa from Colgate University. The discussion will focus on women’s roles in conflict. Admission to the discussion is free, and attending the play is not required.

The second discussion, “In Conversation…,” will feature David Harrington, founder and artistic director of the Kronos Quartet, and Alex Ross, music critic for The New Yorker, at 1:15 p.m. on Nov. 2 in the Sutton Pavilion at Syracuse Stage. The two will use the idea that “archival sounds documented in audio recordings intersect with the ensemble’s cutting-edge music-making,” according to an SU News article. The event is part of the Belfer Audio Archive’s 50th anniversary celebration weekend. Tickets are $10 for SU and SUNY ESF students, faculty and staff and $20 for general admission.

Published on October 22, 2013 at 1:53 am

Contact Jessica: jmcabe@syr.edu | @Jessica_Cabe