The Arabic Theater Company blends improv
chaos, bilingual comedy, and cultural
specificity into a fun night of laughs

First, take eight appealing actors, all with roots in the Arab world. Add fluency in both English and Arabic. Throw in considerable comedic talent and a desire to “amplify Arab voices” in the entertainment world. Then sprinkle liberally with the wild format of improv games. What do you get? The Arabish Improv Show — a fun, if not always polished, evening of improv presented by The Arabic Theater Company at the Balance Arts Center in Manhattan.

Founded by actor/director/producer Islam Balbaa, the company’s stated mission is to “create space for authentic, nuanced representations of Arab culture on stage and screen.” Apparently, that includes comedy too.

Directed by Maria Bechara and hosted by Tarik Kdiry, the 80-minute performance features standard improv games with a Middle Eastern twist, with Arabic and English spoken interchangeably throughout the evening. Since improv thrives on high energy, the language-switching works best when the ensemble is fully engaged. Because this group only performs together every few months (they head to Ottawa and Montréal next), their chemistry and momentum do not fully click until midway through the show.

The best bit of the evening was the last game, which was a kind of a live-action Mad Libs. Also strong was a game based on an audience member’s story about a questionable uber ride. Performed in Arabic, both Mahmoud Sabra as the driver and Anissa Naji as the passenger were quite funny.

Other standouts for the night were Balbaa and Bechara as well as improv newcomer Ahmed Elhosary, who brought the funny as an Arabic speaking expert on dinosaurs. Hopefully, this promising group will play together more often in the future and really hone their performance dynamics. Because while there were some unsure and lagging moments, The Arabish Improv Show also provided laughs — in both English and Arabic.

The evening’s strongest segment comes in the final game, a kind of live-action Mad Libs. Also particularly effective is a routine inspired by an audience member’s story about a questionable Uber ride. Performing in Arabic, both Mahmoud Sabra as the driver and Anissa Naji as the passenger are consistently funny. Improvising in Arabic is a challenge itself, since Arabic dialects are so different from each other.

Other standouts include Balbaa and Bechara, along with improv newcomer Ahmed Elhosary, who scores big laughs as an Arabic-speaking dinosaur expert. Hopefully, this promising ensemble will have more opportunities to perform together and sharpen its group dynamics. While there are occasional lagging or uncertain moments, The Arabish Improv Show ultimately succeeds in delivering laughs — in both English and Arabic.

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photos courtesy of the company

The Arabish Improv Show
The Arabic Theater Company
Balance Arts Center, 151 West 30th St
performed May 16, 2026
for info and tour dates, visit The Arabic Theater Company

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