**** Recommended I’ve been involved with ESL (English as a Second Language) classes for many years, but I’ve never looked at – or even thought about – English as a Foreign Language (EFL), although I know several people who arrived in America already fluent in English. That said, the Goodman Theatre’s production of English is a sensitive and moving insight into that process for four adult students in Iran. I found the play both enlightening and engrossing. 4 Spotlights
Four students are attending a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) class in Karaj, Iran which meet three times a week. English is presented in a series of vignettes over several weeks in that classroom. Marjan (Roxanna Hope Radja) leads the English only classroom, using different methods to encourage her students’ fluency – translating popular lyrics, reading stories, even a random ball-toss/English word contest.
The students are there for their own reasons – a green card, medical school admission, reuniting with family – which they are often unwilling to share. Roya (Sahar Bibiyan) is older than the others, a grandmother whose greatest wish is to join her son and grandchild in America. Goli (Shadee Vossoughi) and Elham (Nikki Massoud) need to pass admission tests for foreign universities. Omid (Pej Vahdat) the only man in the class, doesn’t seem to be as motivated as the others. Only after he announces his engagement does he admit that he has an American passport. He was born in the United States, went to school there, but when he was sixteen, his family returned to Iran. Now, he isn’t sure what he wants to do.
English was written by California resident, Sanaz Toossi, and Iranian-American in 2002. An Off-Broadway hit, it won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2023 and the 2023 Obie Award for Best New American Play.
The Goodman Theatre production, a co-production with Guthrie Theatre, is directed by Hamid Dehghani who says “The reason I wanted to direct this show is because I know these characters, I know that room and that experience.” She adds, “It’s about rediscovering the world based on our shared culture and lived experiences—and feels like a reunion not just with fellow Iranian artists but with my very identity as a theater director. I am excited to invite our audience into this world, to let them feel Iran, think about language and identity and consider what it’s like learning English through the lens of many immigrants in this country.”
English runs through June 16th in the Goodman Theatre’s Owen Theatre,170 N. Dearborn, Chicago. Most reasonable parking option for the Goodman is the Government Center garage on Lake between LaSalle and Dearborn, online advance payment at www.interparkonline.com/goodmantheatre.
Running time is approximately one hour, 45 minutes, no intermission. Performances are: Thursdays & Saturdays at 2:00 & 7:30 pm; Fridays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 2:00 pm. Ticket range - $15-$55. FYI (312) 443-3800 or www.goodmantheatre.org/show/the-magic-flute/