A theater production featuring first-hand testimonies from witnesses to Israel’s darkest hours will make its debut in New York City on October 7.
The work, titled ‘OCTOBER 7’ will present an unfiltered depiction of the tragic accounts of the survivors of the massacre, in their own words.
The production, researched and curated by Ireland’s Phelim McAleer and Ann McElhinney, who traveled to Israel just after the attacks to interview those directly affected by the events, will run from May 2 to June 16 at Actors Temple Theatre.
The work captures a wide range of perspectives, from the young to the elderly, from the secular to the religious. Israelis from all walks of life will share their reflections on how October 7 irrevocably changed their lives and their nation.
In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, McAleer spoke about the inspiration behind the project, emphasizing a rapid change of focus since October 7 just after the tragic events unfolded.
The work serves as a reminder not to forget the stories of the survivors and the meaning of the day.
The work, titled ‘OCTOBER 7’, will present an unfiltered description of the tragic stories of the survivors of the massacre, in their own words. It will be presented from May 2 to June 16 at the Actors Temple Theater in New York
An actor will play Biliya Michal, a grandmother in her 50s who survived the October 7 attack by hiding on the roof with her family. Her son was murdered in her home while she allowed the family to escape. She was saved by a police officer, Itamar Illouz, also depicted in the play.
Another act tells the story of Shani Arditi, a 25-year-old Nova festival attendee, who escaped by hiding in a thorny field for hours. The work will present an unfiltered description of the tragic stories of the survivors of the massacre, in her own words.
“What really galvanized us was when we were in Ireland on October 7. Immediately, on the morning of October 8, the media and people we met started talking about how horrible it was that they were cutting off the electricity in Gaza,” said.
“We just realized that everyone wanted to quickly move away from October 7 and start talking about Gaza and the ceasefire,” he continued. ‘And we know that there would not be an October 8th if there were no October 7th. That’s why we wanted people to remember and not forget what happened on October 7.”
The work presents thirteen detailed stories drawn from these interviews, each narrated word for word by the individuals themselves.
From stories of survival and rescue to tales of resistance against Hamas terrorists, each character portrayed on stage embodies a real person sharing their truth, McAleer explained.
One act tells the story of a brave police officer who bravely confronted Hamas gunmen armed with only a gun and nine bullets, ultimately saving dozens of lives.
They interviewed Biliya Michal, a grandmother in her 50s, who survived the attack on her kibbutz by hiding on the roof with her family. Her son was murdered in her home while she allowed the family to escape from her.
Video footage shows the family hiding under solar panels on a neighbor’s roof, when they were finally rescued by police officer Itamar Illouz, who also appears in the play.
Illouz, a 50-year-old police officer, defended Ofakim, shot two terrorists and saved countless lives.
Another act tells the story of Shani Arditi, a 25-year-old Nova festival attendee, who escaped by hiding in a thorny field for hours.
The play will also portray the experience of Dennis, an off-duty IDF soldier living in Ofakim, originally from Ajerbijan, who was shot five times by three different terrorists during the attack on Ofakim.
They interviewed another survivor who spent thirty hours in a bomb shelter at home knowing her husband was dead outside.
Despite the seriousness of the subject, the work also captures inspiring moments of humor, reflecting the unbreakable spirit and resilience of the Israeli people even in the face of adversity.
McAleer stated that even in the darkest days, Israelis found comfort in humor, which is an act of defiance.
The play will also reveal the experience of Dennis, an off-duty IDF soldier living in Ofakim, originally from Ajerbijan, who was shot five times by three different terrorists during the attack on Ofakim.
‘It’s amazing. Even in the darkest days, the Israeli people knew how to be funny, he said. ‘Laughter is also an act of defiance, and I think that was understood. You are not going to destroy us. Let’s increase the profit. I think the humorous part is both a defense mechanism and an act of defiance.’
McElhinney and McAleer, who are married, traveled to Israel together during the war for the first time. McElhinney said she and her husband, who are from Ireland, probably never met a Jewish person until they moved to the United States.
They have no particular connection to the State of Israel, but believed their mission to capture survivors’ stories was crucial.
They conducted interviews together at survivors’ homes or, in some cases, at the homes of survivors’ friends, whose residence was destroyed on October 7.
“It was incredible to witness the resilience of the survivors and see how they managed to survive that day,” McElhinney said. “From kids at the party to an older man who realized his daughter was bleeding to death.”
McAleer acknowledged the difficult task his actors will face in portraying real-life people who endured unimaginable traumas.
He highlighted the importance of bringing these narratives to the forefront, ensuring that the voices of those affected by the October 7 massacres are not only heard but also remembered.
“They lost confidence in the Israeli dream, their worldview was shattered,” he said.
Tickets are sold online at www.october7theplay.com.