Emmy Award-winning actress and choreographer, Debbie Allen, is bringing a savvy international performance to Los Angeles with her celebrated new play Oman … O Man!  Commissioned by The John F. Kennedy Center for the Arabesque Festival, Oman ... O Man! tells the story of two young men from cultures of the other extreme, one American boy and one from the Middle Eastern country of Oman.  The boys get to know one another sharing their differences and similarities through song and dance.
 
“I was truly flattered and challenged to be chosen to create the only original commissioned piece for the Arabesque Festival. It meant traveling to the Middle East- Oman and saturating myself in the history and culture of a people I knew very little about. It became a real journey of discovery and bonding with people who would become friends for life,” Allen said.
 
In preparation, Allen made two trips to Oman whose origins date back 10,000 years. She surveyed the culture, arts, cuisine and overall way of life using her imagination to shape the foundation for the performance.
 
“My first trip to Oman was enlightening, funny and amazing! I had never heard of Air Ethiad and so I assumed it was some off the radar, second class airline. Wrong! It was the most beautiful commercial plane I had ever seen. Everything was soft turquoise, beige and gold. And all the stewardesses so beautiful. Omani people are so friendly, gracious, restrained yet lively. Their native dress is so colorful. I went to the Souk, their market place, I thought I was in Scheherazade. The food was so good and no one drank alcohol. Everyone prayed five times a day,” she recalled.
 
Allen was asked to select 12 American dancers from the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and 12 Omani dancers who are less developed in their dancing skills because of a lack of available classes, but talented nonetheless.  While there were challenges like language barriers, Allen says that the most difficult undertaking was to blend them all into one company.
 
“Choosing students was very difficult …I chose some of our youngest, oldest and clearly most versatile talent. We had class everyday. The group quickly became close and inseparable. Brothers and Sisters--just what the world needs,” Allen said.
 
Because Oman … O Man! was the only original commissioned piece for the Arabesque Festival, detail was vital. Oman is a geographically small country and has an estimated population of 2.8 million according to the Ministry of Economy.  A country with diverse linguistics and ethnic groups, Oman is quickly developing and expanding to secure a thriving future.
 
“I wanted to represent the Omani culture accurately and the hope was that this could be a bridge to narrow the gulf between East and West. We did that,” Allen said.
 
Oman … Oman! debuted on March 12 at the Eisenhower Theater in Washington D.C. to a sold out crowd with First Lady Michelle Obama in attendance. The encore continues in L.A. at UCLA’s Royce Hall from December 10 thru 12 with all proceeds benefiting the non-profit Debbie Allen dance Academy.
 
Allen is currently in London opening an all Black production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
 
“I hope to bring Oman … O Man! and Alex in Wonderland and Pearl and many of my productions to audiences around the world and continue to use the arts as a door that opens understanding and communication,” she said. For more about the play and showtimes visit www.theoman-omanshow.com.