Play Highlighting Personal Accounts of 2023 Hamas Attacks Faces Disruption

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Theatergoers filled the seats at Cahn Auditorium, Northwestern University, on Tuesday for a play featuring testimonies from those affected by the 2023 Hamas attacks in Israel. The performance was unexpectedly interrupted by a fire alarm, initially mistaken by the audience as part of the show’s sound effects.

Ann McElhinney, one of the play’s co-writers, described the audience’s confusion. “Initially, they thought it was part of the play because they heard these sirens going off, and the dialogue prior had mentioned sirens, rockets, and alarms,” McElhinney told Fox News Digital.

According to McElhinney, the interruption caused fear among many attendees, prompting them to leave after the theater was evacuated. Others chose to stay, exhibiting defiance against intimidation.

Phelim McAleer, the play’s other co-writer, remarked that despite the disruption, the performance concluded with a standing ovation. He believed this response was not only for the actors and directors but also an expression of defiance against the incident.

“Someone tried to intimidate them,” McAleer stated. “They didn’t want the truth told, but they didn’t succeed.”

Northwestern University Media Relations commented that the fire alarm was activated at 8:12 p.m., leading to the evacuation of the auditorium. After the venue was cleared and deemed safe, guests were invited back to continue with the event, which ended at 9:45 p.m.

McAleer expressed suspicion of intentional disruption, emphasizing the insidious nature of the act, which took place at an emotionally significant moment during the show.

McAleer noted the timing, stating that while it was Oct. 6 in Chicago, it was already Oct. 7 in Israel — marking the anniversary of the attacks.

The spoken-word play consists of testimonies McAleer and McElhinney gathered during a trip to Israel following the attacks. McElhinney shared their motivation for visiting Israel, highlighting criticism of Israel’s response and the lack of attention to the attacks themselves.

“We realized if we didn’t tell the story, it might never be told,” McElhinney told Fox News Digital.

The play has been performed at several notable locations, including New York City and the Kennedy Center. Due to previous security concerns, the show required a daily NYPD presence in New York City.

“That tells you something about free speech in New York City,” McElhinney pointed out, reflecting on the necessity of security a show focusing on Israeli experiences.

McAleer reflected on the current state of American college campuses, describing them as threatening environments for Jewish individuals and free expression.