written by Sanaz Toossi directed by Knud Adams with Tala Ashe, Ava Lalezazardeh, Pooya Mohseni, Marjan Neshat, Hadi Tabbal understudied by Roxanna Hope Radja, Joe Joseph, Shadee Vossoughi
set design by Marsha Ginsberg lighting design by Reza Behjat sound design by Sinan Refik Zafar costume design by Enver Chakartash props by Andrew Diaz stage managed by Alex Hajjar
Todd Haimes Theatre on Broadway, Roundabout, 2025 from the Off-Broadway premiere
[Critic's Pick] "That isn’t a problem for Goli (Ava Lalezarzadeh). Just 18, she has no goal in acquiring English except to enjoy the easy practicality and cultural currency of the international lingua franca. “English does not want to be poetry like Farsi,” she says approvingly. “English does not try to sink.”" Jesse Green, The New York Times
"The cast does commendable work bringing their characters to life…Lalezarzadeh’s Goli is young, bright-eyed, yet wise…Lalezarzadeh is a delight. Hands down a masterpiece of theater. Undeniably one of the best plays of the decade, it is both thought-provoking and deeply affecting." Christian Lewis, Variety
“In such a climate, there’s something extra-bracing about seeing Toossi’s play—sensitive, funny, and intimate, powered by its own craft and its excellent ensemble rather than by a shiny name on the marquee—flex its muscles uptown.”Sara Holdren, Vulture
The cast, without exception, plays every twist, turn, beat and emotion beautifully. If you had to be in a classroom struggling with something that seems always to remain beyond your grasp, you’d be lucky to share space with folks like these. English is a wonder. Greg Evans, Deadline