ENGLISH
written by Sanaz Toossi
directed by Knud Adamswith Tala Ashe, Ava Lalezazardeh, Pooya Mohseni, Marjan Neshat, Hadi Tabbal
set design by Marsha Ginsberg
lighting design by Reza Behjat
sound design by Sinan Refik Zafar
costume design by Enver Chakartash
stage managed by Alex Hajjar
The Atlantic + Roundabout, 2022
The New York Times: Sanaz Toossi on Her Pulitzer
The New York Times Feature: Sanaz Toossi on her comedies about Iranian women
The New York Times: Best of 2022
Time Out New York: The top 10 NYC theater productions of 2022
The New Yorker: The Most Memorable Theatre of 2022
Slant Magazine: The Best Theater of 2022
2023 Pulitzer Prize Winner
Obie Awards: Best New Play (WINNER), Lighting Design (WINNER), Special Citation for Creative Team (WINNER)
Lortel Nominations: Outstanding Play (WINNER), Outstanding Ensemble, Outstanding Scenic Design
Drama League Nominations: Outstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Direction of a Play
Outer Critics Circle: John Gassner Award (WINNER)
Drama Desk Nominations: Sam Norkin Off-Broadway Award for Marjan Neshat (WINNER), Outstanding Play, Outstanding Director of a Play, Scenic Design for a Play, and Lighting Design for a Play
REVIEWS
[Critic’s Pick] “Director Knud Adams gently underlines the calm, almost classical rhythms of Toossi’s writing. Chopinesque piano solos play between scenes. As the play contemplates the question of language from several angles, the cube-like set, by Marsha Ginsberg, slowly rotates, offering in turn a street view of the building, the classroom interior and an entry portico. The cast is uniformly excellent, in a suitably unshowy but fully lived-in way.”
Jesse Green, The New York Times
“Mounted impeccably by director Knud Adams.”
Peter Marks, The Washington Post
“Toossi’s play frequently delights in the infelicities of imperfect speech, it’s never cruel.”
Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker
“An exquisitely written, performed, and directed play… Few are the standout gems — those plays that appear, shimmer, and conquer an audience so wholly you feel a delicious, building two-way crackle in the room as a performance progresses.”
Tim Teeman, The Daily Beast
“Knud Adams directs with a sharp eye for schoolroom silliness that can escalate into real-life tension.”
Juan A. Ramirez, Theatrely
“Director Adams and cast handled that intricate challenge, as they’ve handled everything else, with full authority.”
David Finkle, New York Stage Review
[⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑] “Knud Adams beautifully directs the world premiere from Atlantic Theater Company and Roundabout Theatre Company with a fluid assurance.”
Naveen Kumar, New York Theatre Guide
“Under the direction of Knud Adams, the tone of the play, at first light-hearted and amusing, becomes increasingly personal, introspective, and troubled, as the skillful cast of five slowly reveals the distinctive positions and thoughts of the characters to one another.”
Deb Miller, DC Metro Theater Arts
“Under Knud Adams’ careful direction, English reveals itself to be an exquisitely crafted production.”
Ran Xia, Did They Like It
“Director Knud Adams matches Toossi step by well-paced step, drawing concise, layered performances from each of the actors… English is must-see theater. An expertly written, thought-provoking examination of the relationship between language and identity (and so much more), beautifully acted and sensitively directed.”
Sarah Downs, Front Row Center
“Knud Adams directs with a firm caress, letting dramatic beats flow organically from an appealing ensemble.”
David Cote, Observer
(photos by Marsha Ginsberg + Ahron R. Foster)