Golden Thread Productions, in collaboration with Art2Action, Inc., has announced the regional premiere of The Return, a compelling play by Hanna Eady and Edward Mast.
Set to run from August 7-24, 2025, at The Garret in San Francisco’s A.C.T.’s Toni Rembe Theater, The Return invites audiences into a profound exploration of the erasure and violence faced by Palestinian citizens of Israel.
In the play, two characters meet at an auto-body shop in the city of Herzliya, Israel.
One character is Palestinian, while the other is Israeli Jewish, and their interaction will irrevocably alter their lives amidst the overarching realities that shape their existence.
Opening night is scheduled for Sunday, August 10, 2025, at 7 PM, with presale tickets available for as low as $20 for previews and general admission ranging from $30 to $130 at goldenthread.org.
Artistic Director Sahar Assaf commented on the significant themes of the production, stating, “We’re living through a deeply scary time in the world and in the U.S., and it’s easy to feel pressured into silence in the face of genocide, war, and fascism.
But we, at Golden Thread, are committed to responding to the silencing of dissent with brave narratives that uplift unheard stories through powerful art.
Our 2024 Season for Palestine was a testament to that, and we included The Return in our 2025 Season of Solidarity to double-down on Golden Thread’s decades-long commitment to uplifting Palestinian artists and narratives.”
Eady and Mast, who have been collaborating since 1995, bring their extensive experience to this production.
Eady, a Palestinian raised in Northern Israel, and Mast share a rich history, having previously created Sahmatah, a play rooted in testimonies from a Palestinian village destroyed during the establishment of Israel in 1948.
Their past work, which premiered in Arabic in 1998 on the original site of the destroyed village, paved the way for their current endeavor, The Return.
Eady, who also directs the production, poignantly reflects, “The price Palestinians are forced to pay for peace is unimaginable, and still, not enough.
We inherited the idea of love and the torment from our crucified Grandfather.
Then they came, took away the idea, and left us the torment.”
Featuring renowned Bay Area actors Nick Musleh and Elissa Stebbins, the production will be staged in an intimate “alley formation,” allowing the audience to sit on both sides of the stage.
This arrangement amplifies the dynamic interaction between the characters as layers of their history and secrets unfold in unexpected ways, drawing the audience closer to the narrative.
The creative team for The Return includes familiar faces from Golden Thread: scenic and lighting designer Kate Boyd, costume designer Michelle Mulholland, sound designer James Ard, stage manager K’Zhane McGill, and production manager Hector Zavala.
Having previously captivated audiences during Golden Thread’s 2024 New Threads Staged Reading Series, The Return sparked meaningful discussions among viewers from varied backgrounds.
Continuing its tradition of fostering dialogue as a cornerstone of its mission, Golden Thread is partnering with three crucial social justice organizations advocating for Palestinian liberation and justice: AROC: Arab Resource and Organizing Center, Jewish Voice for Peace – Bay Area, The Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA), and NorCal Sabeel.
These collaborations will enhance public engagement programs that connect the themes of the play to wider movements for justice, with details on additional events to be announced shortly.
Golden Thread acknowledges the support of Art2Action, Inc., The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and The Zellerbach Family Foundation in bringing this significant production to life.
image source from：broadwayworld
