The Lila Rose Show E305: Michael Iskander On The Cost of Playing David | Lila Rose Show
Mar 31, 2026
Michael Iskander, an actor and singer best known for playing King David and with roots in Broadway and a Coptic-to-Catholic spiritual journey, talks about his rise from Egypt to Broadway. He describes grueling physical challenges on set, the emotional David and Jonathan scenes, learning ancient Hebrew songs, and how the role reshaped his faith and identity.
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Playing David Revealed Why He Loved Saul
- Michael discovered new empathy for Saul by fully inhabiting the role while watching Ali Suleiman's performance; he realized David's love for Saul came from a desire to heal God's anointed.
- This reframed David's refusal to harm Saul as rooted in compassion, not weakness.
Anchor Identity In Faith Not Career
- Keep personal identity rooted in faith rather than career: Michael says his identity is Christian first, actor second, and he will follow where God leads.
- He advises openness to change: embrace present calling but remain willing to shift when God directs.
Conversion To Catholicism Framed As Coming Home
- Michael converted from Orthodox to Catholic after a period away from church; he describes returning to the Eucharist as hopping onto a ship from a stormy ocean.
- His profession of faith mass featured Psalm 89 and readings that he took as personal confirmation of the move.