AAVAZ

“Avaaz” is a one-man show ( or might I say, woman-show) written and performed by Michael Shayan. In the production he portrays his mother who is not transplanted from Iran to Westwood California in an area that is referred to as “Tehran-geles”.The play takes place on the first day of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year. The set is a highly lit table area filled with bowl of apples and other goodies. There appears to be candy and fancy bottles of different liquids as well as symbols of the Middle East culture about.

His mother’s name is Roya, a Jewish-Iranian immigrant. Smoothly directed by Moritz Von Stuelpnagel, on a set (Beowulf Boritt), Shayan takes the floor instantly. He begins the show from the back of the audience, working his way down to the stage, but stopping along the way to tease and play with the audience. He is portraying his mother and while doing so explaining how women were ( and are) treated differently in their country.

Once the “non-curtain” rises , the lights go on (Amith Chandrashaker handles the light) the story begins. We learn about the seven sins, and Roya attempts to teach us some Iranian words. Roya is dressed in black with a very fancy silk robe ( costumes by Joshua “Domino” Schwartz) and works the audience from end to end. The show has several “immersive” segments where Roya plays off those sitting in the front rows and along the aisles. Shayan is very good at getting audience members “into” the action.

The show is 90 minutes of learning and laughing. I will tell you not to come late, as a late arrival might just have you playing a part that you are not prepared to play. This is a show about change. Change in one’s life and adjustments that come with the same. It is also about acceptance- of who you were and who you are about to become. Most of us are unknowing as to customs and traditions of other cultures. Many of us are only familiar with the fighting and battles that the United States has been involved in with Iran and its powers. This story will open your eyes to the real people, not the war-mongers, and in a comical way, show that despite being very different, we are in many ways the same.

AAVAZ will continue thru February 9th with performances as follows:

Navy Pier is Located at 800 East Grand Avenue

Parking garage is the Shakespeare entrance and bring your ticket to the theater for validation ( discount).