You know it’s a rare day when the Assyrian language—yes, the same one Jesus was reportedly fluent in—makes an appearance in theaters. But lo and behold, “Iraq, But Funny” at Chicago’s Lookingglass Theatre is turning that notion on its head. This riotous production, cobbled together by Second City alum Atra Asdou and directed by Dalia Ashurina, both of whom proudly wear their Assyrian American badges, is set to dazzle audiences until July 20, with a twist of humor and a side of historical insight.
“I penned this play,” Asdou laments, “to spill some of my family’s stories out into the wild and because American theatre has an almost ghostly absence of comedies about Iraq and Assyrians—particularly ones written by people who actually know what it’s like to be Assyrian.” She’s here to serve a hefty portion of laughter alongside some much-needed cultural education. And surprise! She’s also the star of the show.
Asdou’s script takes audiences on a delightful history tour, narrated by TEG, or The English Gentleman, who expertly guides us through the British Empire’s tangled mess in the Middle East. It’s a crash course in colonial charisma right from the land of tea and crumpets, filled with cheeky quips alluding to the Brits’ less-than-stellar track record.
“Iraq, But Funny,” which took a leisurely four and a half years to cultivate—as if it were a fine wine, not a play—centers on the tales of five generations of Assyrian women (quick history check: they’re not the same as Syrians). These women demand the spotlight and their stories, claiming them with the vigor of a toddler who’s just stolen a cookie.
“It took four and a half years to write,” Asdou quips, “but really, this tale is 6,775 years in the making. We skim across a century of history, and my fabulous Assyrian ancestors have been hanging around for eons.” Yes, eons! That’s like enough history to fill an entire shelf of dusty books; yet here we are, in a humor-laden format.
The play digs deep, peeling back the layers of Assyrian endurance—right from escaping early 20th-century genocide straight to modern-day. A real page-turner featuring plots thicker than the plot of a daytime soap opera! And let’s not forget the musical numbers featuring jinaneh, which are essentially mournful folk songs sung to help people process loss. So yes, you might just laugh until you cry, and then cry a little more for good measure.
“I hope viewers leave with a better grasp of how we arrived at our current social and political circus,” Ashurina shared, perhaps hoping for a standing ovation as well. “I’ve prayed it brings liberation to Assyrians, while also showing non-Assyrians that we’re human too!” Ah, the sweet irony of comedy as a bridge between cultures—who knew?!
But it’s not just the Assyrians wanting a voice; Chicago happens to hold the title for the largest Assyrian population outside of Iraq (around 100,000 brave souls), all of whom are eager for their stories to be told. Productions like “Iraq, But Funny” are ushering in a fresh wave of Assyrian culture, taking an old narrative and giving it a modern twist. So why not laugh our way through the trauma, right?
Next up on our cultural hit list is “Gilgamesh, the Opera,” set to premiere in 2026. Because what’s better than one epic tale of ancient history? Two epic tales! Who knew history could be this entertaining?
Asdou satirically summarizes, “I hope ‘Iraq, But Funny’ continues to tickle funny bones and rattle cages, reminding us all that amid the chaos, we’re ultimately connected in our humanity—as we wipe our tears of laughter through the horrors of existence.”
Don’t miss out on this comedic masterpiece, running till July 20 at Chicago’s Lookingglass Theatre. Remember, laughter is just as important as history—and sometimes, it’s the only way to survive!
