August 1 - 24, 2025
Showtimes are
Fridays 8pm
Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm
Sundays 2pm
Tickets: $30 general*
$25 for 65 and over
$15 for students with ID
Fri, Aug 1 at 8pm
Sat, Aug 2 at 3pm and 8pm
Sun, Aug 3 at 2pm
Fri, Aug 8 at 8pm
Sat, Aug 9 at 3pm and 8pm
Sun, Aug 10 at 2pm
Fri, Aug 15 at 8pm
Sat, Aug 16 at 3pm and 8pm
Sun, Aug 17 at 2pm
Fri, Aug 22 at 8pm
Sat, Aug 23 at 3pm and 8pm
Sun, Aug 24 at 2pm
Theatre NOVA presents:
Radical Empathy
by David Wells
WORLD PREMIERE
August 1 - 24, 2025
Radical Empathy is not about you.
When an American college professor’s TED Talk on empathy goes viral, he meets an Iraqi man who becomes a fixture in his virtual classroom. But when the brutality of the U.S.-led invasion hits the Iraqi man directly, the professor is forced to explore “the kindred connection from a place of deep knowing that opens your spirit to the pain of another as they perceive it.” (Isabel Wilkerson) A true story.
Radical Empathy runs approximately 80 minutes with no intermission.
The cast features Jeannine Coughlin, Maya Gangadharan, Fedor Kinaya, and *Phil Powers. Directed by Briana O’Neal (director), the production team includes Craig Hane (set), Jade Guerriero (lights), Micha Victoria (costumes), Kennikki Jones-Jones (sound), and Elise Blochwitz (stage manager).
*Member Actors' Equity Association
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Photos by Sean Carter Photography
What Reviewers Are Saying:
"Ann Arbor’s Theatre Nova explores “Radical Empathy” in a time of war. David Wells’ play looks at the radical empathy movement through the relationship of an American couple and an Iraqi couple during the conflict between U.S. forces and ISIS from 2011 to 2018. We reviewed the play, which runs until August 24."
Full Review here: https://pulp.aadl.org/node/645416
What Audiences Are Saying:
"Radical Empathy -- most necessary and important play ever written and magnificently acted and produced. Every human being needs to experience this masterpiece."
"It was a fabulous play and very successful at getting the message of empathy for others across. It was also an excellent cast.
That was a great play. Very moving. Staged very well with only 4 cast members. Can easily be transformed into a screen play."
"I LOVED the play. It dealt with a very challenging topic--how to deal with our feelings of responsibility for the pain we cause others--but left us with thoughts and emotional responses, not guilt and anger. David always does this: puts difficult topics in front of us in a way that makes us face them, not turn away."
"Radical Empathy was a dynamic, emotional, well-acted and superbly scripted performance.. The fact that it is based on a true story and written by a local, award-winning playwright made it even more memorable! Bravo, Theatre Nova!"
"Excellent show! Both the writing and the performing are superb! Totally engaging and full of thought-provoking material."
"Wow. Well done. Great topic. Loved it."
"Best play in the last 12 months; nicely performed."
"Outstanding. Provoked much thought. Phil Powers is great. Love watching him."