**** Remy Bumppo is starting its 30th season of bringing audiences great plays from the past and today’s relevant new works. To start this year, they are offering the Chicago Premiere of “Wish You Were Here” written by Sanaz Toossi ( Best known for her “English”). This is a story that involves the protests in Iran back in the late 70’s, and in this 100 minute ( no intermission) play ,we see how what is happening affects the lives of a group of tight knit ladies.

There are five ladies that we meet and watch them as they plan their futures. They plan weddings, trade jokes ( some language might be offensive ), but of greater importance they are living in fear of what is happening around them. There comes a time when they must face the facts that staying is dangerous and emigration might be the only true alternative that allows them to live a life of normalcy ( or can it?).

The story is set in scenes. Each scene represents another calendar year. We begin in 1978 and end in 1991 ( with ’80, ’82, ’85, and ’90) covered. During these scenes we watch them wed, give birth, change their profession/jobs and their lives. Under the clever direction of Azar Kazemi on a fantastic set designed by Lauren M. Nichols, we watch these ladies and their unique friendship. How can they remain friends if they go their separate ways. How can this tight bond be broken, and yet, stay together? These are some of the questions that Toossi examines.

The cast assembled for this premiere is wonderful and very well suited for the roles they are portraying. Shadee Vossoughi is Nazanin, Gloria Imseih Petrelli is Salme, Zari is played to perfection by Yourtana Sulaiman, Tina Arfaee deftly handles the role of Shideh and then a new friend and last but not least, the role of Rana is played by Joan Nahid. These five ladies bring great emotion to the roles they are creating for audiences in this wonderful story about what happens to best friends when war creeps into their lives. What takes place as they go their own way, never knowing if they will ever see each other again.

The technical aspects of the production are also flawless. The costumes by Kristy Leigh Hall are amazing and Saskia Baker’s props are terrific. The sound ( Thomas Dixon) and lighting (Conchita Avitia) fill out the credits. As I watched the story unfold I noticed that the audience reaction by the women was far greater than those of the men. Seems right to me and I know that this play is about their bonding and strength when faced with change. The story is strong! The performances are even stronger!

 

“Wish You Were Here” will continue Thru – Oct 19th with performances as follows: