A Knock on the Roof Off-Broadway Tickets, News, Info & More
New York Theatre Workshop
79 East 4th Street New York, NY 10003
Set the timer. The everyday existence of a mother during a sweltering summer vacation: prepare meals, pack the bag, run the drill, repeat. With a dry wit and the determination of an Olympian, Mariam meticulously practices for the run of her life—the dreaded knock on the roof. Written by and starring Khawla Ibraheem, this unforgettable new play about obsession, survival and everyday life in Gaza is directed by NYTW Usual Suspect and Obie Award winner Oliver Butler (What the Constitution Means to Me).
FEATURED REVIEWS FOR A Knock on the Roof
‘A Knock on the Roof’ sticks to the surface of the Gaza crisis (Off Broadway review)
6 / 10
Palestinian writer-actress Khawla Ibraheem tugs at the heartstrings in her Gaza-set monologue A Knock on the Roof, which opened Monday at the New York Theatre Workshop, recounting the plight of a young mother in an unnamed Gaza city that is being subjected to repeated attacks by the Israeli military that have leveled nearby buildings. Ibraheem’s one-woman show is a curious exercise — a fictionalized account of the psychological effects of wartime that is oddly divorced from the politics of the region.
A Knock on the Roof: Everyday life and death in Gaza
6 / 10
A Knock on the Roof is strong stuff. The well-written monologue’s repetitive motifs of packing and running propel both Mariam’s harried narrative and Ibraheem’s urgent performance. In depicting a seemingly frail young woman in baggy mom jeans and white running shoes who turns obsessive in her pursuit of safety, Ibraheem creates the voices of Mariam as well as her several loved ones. Possessing a rich, alto voice matching her dark-eyed looks, Ibraheem speaks with a Middle Eastern accent that may be challenging for some members of the audience to comprehend, likely depending on where they are seated at New York Theatre Workshop. (During certain passages of the performance, I was losing every fourth or fifth word.)
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by Stephi Wild - January 30, 2025
New York Theatre Workshop has officially opened A Knock on the Roof, written by Khawla Ibraheem and directed by Oliver Butler. Check out opening night photos here!
by Nicole Rosky - January 28, 2025
New York Theatre Workshop just celebrated opening night of A Knock on the Roof, written by Khawla Ibraheem, and directed by Obie Award winner and NYTW Usual Suspect Oliver Butler. Let's see what the critics are saying about the new play...
by A.A. Cristi - January 23, 2025
New York Theatre Workshop has announced additional details for their For The Culture Series for A Knock on the Roof, written by Khawla Ibraheem (London-Jenin), and directed by Obie Award winner and NYTW Usual Suspect Oliver Butler (What the Constitution Means to Me).
A Knock on the Roof History
Other Productions of A Knock on the Roof
| 2025 | West End |
West End |
| 2025 | Off-Broadway |
NYTW Off-Broadway Premiere Off-Broadway |
A Knock on the Roof Off-Broadway Awards and Nominations
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Solo Performance | Khawla Ibraheem |
Videos