If you have ever been in the desert you might have seen a beautiful sky at sunrise. A beautiful, award-winning play by the name of Desert Sunrise recently opened at the Lillian Theatre in Hollywood, where it is given a first-rate production with three powerful and moving performances.

The story concerns a chance meeting between a Palestinian shepherd and an Israeli soldier who are both seeking shelter in a desert valley in the Israeli occupied West Bank. Both have come to meet their girlfriends, but the soldier’s has just dumped him. The two fight, argue, talk, listen, laugh, and eventually dance.

The shepherd’s girlfriend finally arrives but things go badly; she is a militant and hates the soldier. Eventually she comes to see that he is not so very different from herself and her boyfriend, but all this changes with a surprising turn of events at the play's end. While the story holds out some hope for eventual reconciliation between the two sides, we are left feeling sadness and horror at the immense hatred between Israel and the Palestinians.

Other plays and movies have dealt with this and similar struggles, pointing out the shared hopes and dreams of opposing sides. This play in particular has a strong ring of truth, perhaps because it was written by Israeli Army veteran Misha Shulman, who was inspired by a trip to the West Bank where he experienced first-hand the remaining hostilities. The play is well written, heartfelt, poetic, and very moving.

The production works because of the work of the three actors. Oren Dayan (NBC’s Life) plays the soldier Tsai. Miriam Isa (Mambo Repossession) is Layla, and Dominic Rains (General Hospital) plays the shepherd Ismail. They make a terrific ensemble, and each brings his or her own skills as actors to the piece.

Rains is perfectly suited to the role of Ismail. Born in the Middle East but raised in Europe, he brings a comfort and familiarity to the role that can’t be faked. Isa is a fierce and formidable militant. She dances beautifully, too. Dayan makes a powerful Tsai; he speaks fluent Hebrew and has a wicked sense of humor. Together they create memorable characterizations, guided by the masterful direction of Ellen Shipley (who is best known as a prolific songwriter and recording artist). She elicits excellent performances from her actors.

At the Lillian Theatre until August 8.