*** Another Chicago premiere, and this one, a Pulitzer Prize-winning play written by Sanaz Toosi, dealing with a classroom as four Iranians, where they are told, “English Only” as they prepare themselves to take a test that will allow them to move their lives forward. This is a one act play of 100 minutes designed to allow you to be the “fly on the wall” watching the story unveil. Directed by Hamid Dehghani on a set designed by Courtney O’Neill. The classroom feels real as the four student and their teacher do their thing.
Tuesdays 7:30pm
Stage: Owen Theatre
Show Type: Comedy/Drama
Box Office: 312-443-3800
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “English”.
Another view
Review: “English” by Sanaz Toossi
By: Paul Lisnek, Behind the Curtain, WGNRadio.com
****/4
“English”, the 2023 Pulitzer Prize Award Winner for Drama and Obie Award winner by Sanaz Toossi, speaks a universal language. Its premise is seemingly simple, but it’s message far more complex. Four adult students in Karaj, Iran study for the Test of English as a Foreign Language so they can get their green card or admission to medical school or return to their family. The scenes are all set in the classroom and we watch as the cast undertakes exercises to learn English as though this is their true life goal. But for some, it’s the means to an end…and others, have something to hide.
The play addresses cultural identity and pride and asks: where is your true home, both literally and spiritually?
Language is used as a reflection of those values and identity. English” blends humor, warmth, internal struggle over identity and coming to peace with yourself and all in a powerful and thought-provoking way. If you think it’s a play about language, then you miss the true message, which is so much deeper.
“English” has especially powerful meaning today…where people struggle over their identity and relationships with countries throughout the world (think middle east, Ukraine and the like) but need to reflect on their relationship with their own home.
Truly a play not to be missed and an important piece of the Goodman’s ongoing message for us to examine our lives and values… and those are questions worth asking.
Paul M. Lisnek, J.D., Ph.D.
WGN-TV Political Analyst
Anchor, “WGN-TV Political Report”
Anchor, WGN-TV Midday News “Midday Fix” Author Interview Segment
Host, “Paul Lisnek Behind the Curtain” WGN Radio Podcast
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