English

Winner of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize! This heartfelt, humorous play follows five strangers in an Iranian TOEFL class as they navigate language, identity, and unexpected friendships. Each brings a personal reason for learning English, discovering along the way what is lost—and found—in translation. No matter how difficult the course gets, the human spirit shines through.

"Odcikin's guidance shows great admiration for the work and affection for each of his characters." —Houston Press

"This production feels like a love letter to the Iranian culture, and the bond of trust between [Odcikin] and his cast is evident throughout. The stillness is intentional. The silences breathe. No one pushes. In a play like this, restraint is everything; the drama accumulates quietly until it delivers in spades.” —BroadwayWorld.com

“Tender and funny ... It's a deeply personal and beautiful play — the kind that makes you love and hate the fleeting nature of theater.”
—Axios Houston

"As always, nothing on the page works without a director to bring it to life and Evren Odcikin’s guidance shows great admiration for the work and affection for each of his characters. Most importantly, his sly swings from laughter, heartbreak, anger and back to knowing smiles creep up on us, gentle with the journey and all the more impactful for the buoyant ride."
—Houston Press

Cast
Vaneh Assadourian, Pantea Ommi, ​​Nima Rakhshanifar, Jamie Rezanour, and Shadee Vossoughi

Creative Team
Afsaneh Aayani (Scenic Designer), James Ard (Sound Designer), Ana Bayat (Dialect Coach & Cultural Dramaturg), Isabelle Louis (Production Assistant), Shahrzad Mazaheri (Costume Designer), Sherrice Mojgani (Lighting Designer), Kaylee Sarton McCray (Stage Manager), Meagan Rachelle Smallwood (Assistant Stage Manager), Brandon Weinbrenner (Casting)