Auabduwali: A Middle Eastern Musical Synopsis

Auabduwali


Set in the mountainous region of Lebanon, Auabduwali and his family enjoyed a calm, peaceful life in a hut by the Mediterranean Sea. Auabduwali is content with the simple life he and his family live, and is overjoyed at the approaching date of his sister Bahija’s wedding ceremony to wealthy Fuwaad. In a joyous praise, Auabduwali opens the show by singing to Allah his overwhelming thankfulness regarding the wellbeing of his family (Praise Allah) in which he is joined by the members of his family, preparing for the ecstatic day in which is sister will be united with another. Their exuberance, however, is soon cut short after they hear about the appalling Lebanon War, in which Auabduwali’s father, Jawara, is sent to aid in the fight. Auabduwali is eager to help win the war, but Jawara forbids him to go, and explains to Auabduwali that he is too inexperienced to fight in the war, and that he must stay and be the protector of his family and hut, (Too Young to Blow Up An Israelite.)

After his father’s departure, Auabduwali fulfills his manly duties at the hut, but soon grows restless with thoughts of the ongoing war. Auabduwali still wishes to join Jawara at his side, and refuses to pay attention to chores or his family, distracted by thoughts of battle. Day after day, Auabduwali can think of nothing else, and finds himself at the sea’s edge, gazing into the horizon (If I Only Had a Hand Grenade.) After his thoughts, Auabduwali realizes that he has been gone far too long from his hut, and rushes back. However, when he reaches home, he finds that the tiny hut had been ransacked by the Israelites, and his family’s torn remains scattered across the living area. Torn with anguish, and filled with guilt for not being around during the attack, Auabduwali vows that he will have revenge (If I Have to Rip Apart a Thousand Men) As he filters through the wreckage, his hatred and his need for revenge only grow, as he realizes he has nothing left, and realizes what his future along will hold, (All Alone by the Sea.)

Inspecting the area around his hut, he finds his faithful pet donkey Shabaka grazing close by. Crying with joy, Auabduwali runs toward the animal, grateful that something of importance to him is still left in the world. Auabduwali, along with his trusty donkey friend, sets of for Israel to aid his father now that there is nothing else to live for. Though the journey is long and tiring, Auabduwali is thankful for his donkey companion, who helps keep his spirits up. (My Inspiration, My Love, My Donkey.) The first act ends when Auabduwali stumbles across a humble Lebanon family, who is distressed to see Auabduwali and his current state.

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The second act opens with Auabduwali who has recuperated very well at the humble Lebanon family’s home, and is now telling them of his horrifying past, (My Family in a Million Pieces.) Thanking them for the hospitality, Auabduwali tells them that his must go find his father so that he may aid in the war. Mounting Shabaka, Auabduwali rides off into the horizon, waving to his new friends. Soon, he reaches the Lebonan war camp. Desperately, he hunts through the many wounded soldiers, scouting out his father. He pleads with everyone about the whereabouts of his father Jawara, but no one seems to acknowledge his existence. Torn with grief, and frustration rising, Auabduwali lashes out at the men, begging them to tell him anything about his missing father; at least if he was even alive or dead. (Allah, Aid Me in My Search for Jawara.) Finally, a lone, wise, elderly Lebanion approaches Auabduwali with a gentle, but firm tone. He tells Auabduwali to turn around, go home. Putting up a fight, Auabduwali refuses to move until he hears about the whereabouts of his father. Giving in, the old man lays the awful truth on the young boy. He explains that he once knew Jawara, but he was a traitor. He is not the man his son thought he was, (Your Father is Half-Israelite) and that Jawara did not flee to aid the Lebonans, but to aid the other side. Filled with horror, Auabduwali cannot even begin to comprehend the rush of emotions he is feeling, (What is There to Live For?)

Blinded by rage and confusion, Auabduwali tears across the area, while the Isralites began to fire on the Lebonan camp. In a series of explosions, the entire camp is hit hard, and the blow is a fatal one. Slammed to the ground, Auabduwali looks to the heavens for guidance. Lost, confused, and alone, Auabduwali, in one final breath, prays to Allah for strength. (Allah, Take Me Home.)