I’m Getting Married and God Bless Me

The cast of I’m Getting Married and God Bless Me.

Bringing Iraqi comedy and chaos to the stage

By Weam Namou

What happens when an Iraqi Chaldean man decides he’s ready to get married—but isn’t ready for everything that comes with it?

That’s the hilarious premise of I’m Getting Married and God Bless Me, the seventh production by the Two Rivers Theatrical Group. Deeply rooted in Iraqi culture, the play is performed primarily in Arabic with moments of Chaldean and English woven throughout, delivering nonstop laughter while holding up a mirror to real-life family drama.

At the center of the story is a man named Dibis (“date syrup”) who is determined to find love and finally settle down. But finding “the one” proves to be anything but simple.

First, there’s Tutu: the woman of his dreams. She’s beautiful, confident, and completely overwhelming. She arrives with a long list of expectations that threaten to destroy his already fragile wallet. A lavish henna party is non-negotiable. Designer details are a must. Every demand adds financial panic, leaving the groom-to-be wondering whether love is worth the price tag.

Trying to play it safe, he instead follows tradition and marries the neighbor his mother carefully selected. What could possibly go wrong?

Everything. Instead of financial stress, he finds himself caught in daily domestic warfare. Living under one roof with his wife and his mother becomes a battleground of generational differences, pride, and cultural expectations. The clash between tradition and modern ambition fuels much of the play’s humor—and much of its truth.

The Writer Behind the Story

The script was written by Nadeer Warda, who also plays the main character, Dibis. A videographer by profession, Warda balances filming weddings and raising a family with his passion for the stage.

“This is my hobby,” he says. “Some people play cards or go to bingo. I do theater.”

The story was inspired by real-life experiences shared by friends, including divorce and family tensions. It took him nearly two and a half months to write and several more months to prepare.

“You have to memorize 25 to 30 pages,” he explains. “That’s the challenge.”

Despite the work and commitment involved, Warda says the reward is worth it. “Even when we argue, it’s fun,” he adds.

Strong Women on Stage

Among the standout performers is Dunya Fareda, a vice president and branch manager at Comerica Bank with more than 25 years in banking. This was her first theatrical production.

“I didn’t want to just do comedy,” Fareda says. “If I do something, it has to be creative and have a message.”

She portrayed three roles reflecting real women in the community: a bride obsessed with appearance and wedding trends, a devoted mother rooted in tradition, and a friend navigating jealousy and emotional support.

“The most challenging part was switching from one character to another,” she says. “But my favorite one is the mother. I can truly relate to that.”

Balancing rehearsals with work and family required careful planning and support from her workplace. “With proper planning and support, you can follow your passion,” she says.

Dina Gappy, a journalism graduate from Iraq whose early media career was interrupted by war, also brought realism and emotional depth to the production. Encouraged by fellow actors to audition, she impressed the team with her strong stage presence and quick memorization skills.

“What I loved most is the reality of this play,” Gappy says. “It shows what really happens in marriage, especially the problems with in-laws.”

Along with her husband, Hani Gappy, she joined Two Rivers Theatrical Group after being involved in previous community church productions. She says teamwork is key. “When the team understands each other, everything works.”

A Familiar Face

Hani Gappy has appeared in four stage productions and previously had a small role in the feature film Pomegranate. While theater is a passion, many in the community know him for something else entirely.

An Iraqi American chef with decades of experience, Hani studied culinary arts at the University of Baghdad and has prepared Middle Eastern cuisine for numerous notable figures. Known online as Mr. Hani, he shares traditional recipes and his signature spice blends with a large following. Since launching his teaching video series in 2018, he has become one of the most recognizable Middle Eastern chefs on social media. (Instagram: @RealMr.Hani)

For Hani, the play’s message hits close to home.

“It’s a reminder for people to slow down,” he says. “Marriage isn’t about gold or extravagant demands. Many young men are under enormous financial pressure just to get married. We want people to think about that reality.”

A Veteran Presence

Adding weight and experience to the production is Iraqi director and actor Ricardos Yousef. A respected veteran of Iraqi theater, cinema, and television, Yousef has appeared in productions such as Theyab Al-Lail (1992), Mawasem Al-Hob (1993), The Shadow Men (1996), and more recently Raid (2023).

With a PhD in this field and decades of experience on stage and screen, Yousef brings classical theatrical discipline and cultural authenticity to the group. Cast members say his presence serves as both inspiration and informal mentorship, bridging generations of Iraqi performers.

“An artist is a mirror for society,” he said.

His long-standing career reflects the depth of Iraqi dramatic arts,  a tradition the Two Rivers Theatrical Group continues to preserve abroad.

Keeping Iraqi Theater Alive

Behind the production is Thair Al-Attar (Terry), Director of Operations of the Two Rivers Theatrical Group, founded in 2014. A passionate stage director and occasional actor, Terry has been committed to preserving Iraqi theater in Michigan for decades. He is also the Director of Operations at Merchant Tree, a credit card processing company, and former Macomb County Sherrif Reservist.

“It’s not about money,” Terry says. “It’s about the arts.”

Since first appearing on stage in 2001, he has worked to continue the legacy of pioneers like Hussam Zorro and Hani Nouri, bringing culturally relevant stories to life for local audiences.

The group frequently performs at Sterling Heights High School, drawing around 500 attendees per show. Terry hopes that number will grow as more families embrace live theater.

“We want our community to enjoy this elegant environment,” he says. “Our stories come straight from real life.”

More Than Laughter

While I’m Getting Married and God Bless Me keeps audiences laughing, its message runs deeper. It tackles financial pressure, generational tension, unrealistic expectations, and the delicate balance between tradition and modern life.

For both cast and audience, the story feels personal.

“When people are happy, we are happy,” Terry says. “And even when they tell us what we did wrong, we listen. We want to improve.”

With plans to continue expanding and perhaps one day participate in Iraq’s National Week of Theater, Two Rivers Theatrical Group is proving that Iraqi theater is alive, evolving, and thriving in Michigan. Because while marriage may be a blessing, navigating it—especially in an Iraqi household—is pure comedy.

And sometimes, God really does need to bless the groom.