Happy Days are Here (Again)
An unanswered question rings through the halls of St. Boniface High School: “Who will help me?” Happy Days Are Here (Again), a World Premiere commission by Steep ensemble member Omer Abbas Salem, examines man-made “divine” power, who wields it, and if they should be trusted.
Top Ten of 2024, Chicago Tribune

“Excellent and unstinting premiere from Chicago director Azar Kazemi.”

“One of the most powerful new Chicago plays of this year, heck, most any year.”

“The young ensemble cast acted the bejesus out of the play, which cannot have been easy, especially given the themes of trauma and loss.”

“The uniformly fine cast and Kazemi’s sharp direction… may well enrage you (or re-enrage you) about an evil problem that continues to dog religious institutions, Catholic or otherwise.”

“Excellent and unstinting premiere from Chicago director Azar Kazemi.”

“One of the most powerful new Chicago plays of this year, heck, most any year.”

“The young ensemble cast acted the bejesus out of the play, which cannot have been easy, especially given the themes of trauma and loss.”

“The uniformly fine cast and Kazemi’s sharp direction… may well enrage you (or re-enrage you) about an evil problem that continues to dog religious institutions, Catholic or otherwise.”