The world premiere of Sanaz Toossi's English opens at Atlantic Theatre Company's Linda Gross Theater Off-Broadway February 22, after beginning previews February 5. The production is set to continue through March 13.
Featured in the cast are Tala Ashe (The CW's DC’s Legends of Tomorrow), Ava Lalezarzadeh, Pooya Mohseni (Chonburi Hotel & The Butterfly Club), Marjan Neshat (NYSF's Julius Caesar), and Hadi Tabbal.
Knud Adams directs the play, about a group of adults in Iran preparing for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) in an "English Only" classroom. The work earned Toossi Williamstown Theatre Festival's 2020 L. Arnold Weissberger New Play Award, which was accompanied by a $20,000 prize and an option for publication through Concord Theatricals' Samuel French imprint. Atlantic's production, which is co-produced with Roundabout Theatre Company, is the work's world premiere staging.
The creative team also includes scenic designer Marsha Ginsberg, costume designer Enver Chakartash, lighting designer Reza Behjat, and sound designer Sinan Refik Zafar. Alex H. Hajjar serves as production stage manager, and Gracie Carleton is assistant stage manager. Casting is by Stephen Kopel.
Along with Clare Barron's Shhhh, currently running at the Off-Broadway company's Stage 2, Atlantic Theater Company's 2021-2022 season will continue April 30 with the world-premiere musical The Bedwetter, written by Joshua Harmon, Sarah Silverman, and Adam Schlesinger.
Pooya Mohseni, Tala Ashe, Ava Lalezarzadeh, Marjan Neshat, and Hadi Tabbal in rehearsal for English
Sanaz Toossi, Pooya Mohseni, Tala Ashe, Ava Lalezarzadeh, Marjan Neshat, Hadi Tabbal, and Knud Adams in rehearsal for English
Sanaz Toossi and Knud Adams in rehearsal for English
Marjan Neshat in rehearsal for English
Ava Lelezarzadeh in rehearsal for English
Pooya Mohseni in rehearsal for English
Hadi Tabbal in rehearsal for English
Tala Ashe in rehearsal for English
