English unfolds in an Iranian classroom where adult English learners practice for their proficiency exam. As they leapfrog through a linguistic playground, their wildly different dreams, frustrations, and secrets come to light. Can they overcome the limits of language to discover what they really want to say?
"Very thoughtful and important narrative about identity and belonging --- needed during this political time."
...
Read more
Broadway.com Customer on Mar 3, 2025
Words in Motion
"I've spent time in Iran and found it a beautiful country with warm, generous people. I don't speak Farsi but I do love the sound of the language. And as a writer and editor I enjoyed how the playwright delved into our expectations for language, how it can be weaponized and how it acts as a bridge for friendship, humor, comfort and love. The actors really brought this home with warmth and passion. A tip of the hat also to those responsible for the lighting and staging. Too bad its stay on Broadway was so brief. "
...
Read more
Marc B from Chatham on Feb 28, 2025
Exquisite and masterful
"I was born in the United States in 1979 to Iranian immigrants. I cannot begin to fully explain the nuanced thoughtfulness and brilliance of this place except to say it spoke to my soul on a visceral level. The layers!!! The depth!!! Bravo everyone involved in this stunning performance. This is the art that is always, always needed. "
...
Read more
Broadway.com Customer on Feb 24, 2025
Fantastic, thoughtful piece!
"Well-written and performed—true art!"
...
Read more
Broadway.com Customer on Feb 23, 2025
Go see this show while you can!
"Superb acting and writing—funny, smart and thought provoking. Unlike any other show out right now. Iranian culture, how language changes us and what it means to feel a sense of home and belonging. "
...
Read more
Sara L from Branford on Feb 17, 2025
Excellent
"Superb play. Cast was excellent. Funny & sad all at the same time. Highly recommend. "
...
Read more
Broadway.com Customer on Feb 8, 2025
Provoking thoughts never crossed my mind before.
"I loved the set. Looking out, looking in, new day to the end of the day.
And was intrigued by the story line. The struggles never crossed my mind. And the comedic outcome only added to the quality and success of the entertainment."
...
Read more
Broadway.com Customer on Jan 31, 2025
A MUST SEE!
"We laughed. We cried, We were mesmerized by the complex emotional chemistry and powerfully relatable story of each character in English. This is not just a story about learning English, or preparing for the TOEFL. This is a story about the need for human connection, the moments we yearn to feel seen and valued, the dichotomous tensions that exist within ourselves, and motivations behind the outward masks we wear. Fully understand why this play won a Pulitzer! Highly recommend!"
...
Read more
Broadway.com Customer on Jan 21, 2025
Enjoyed the Show.
"Very powerful yet easy to watch play. The play happens in Iran, but It touches on universal themes "
...
Read more
Broadway.com Customer on Jan 14, 2025
A Great Story About Identity and Hope
"My wife and I chose this play to see on our honeymoon. It was a wonderful story about the nature of language to shape identity and impose a hegemony. Though we meet each of the characters as they're already in the process of completing their TOEFL studies, they quickly define themselves and their relationships to each other.
Sanaz Toossi perfectly structures the story so that the central argument over language plays out in the characters' actions, dialogue, and struggles. Equally impressive was the set design and lighting, which made a classroom box into a space that captured the movement of time and even had space for scenes outside the classroom.
The way the actors switch between speaking at a natural speed to using halting, more accented English worked brilliantly as a way to distinguish between those scenes in which the characters are meant to be speaking Farsi and those in which they're practicing English. The final scene takes this to a particularly emotional denouement, but I won't spoil what happens.
A great Broadway play both for our honeymoon and for my wife's first Broadway show!"
...
Read more
Richard D from Macedon on Jan 12, 2025
Appreciation compromised by bad set
"The set should be rethought and redesigned. The lineup of rows of classroom chairs often obscures the actors, particularly for those in rows close to the stage. Hearing the dialogue alone is not sufficient to fully appreciate the play (it’s not a radio play) when you often cannot see the expressions and actions of the actors. I don’t know what the set designers (and Director) were thinking."
