a bunch of iranians in heaven

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a bunch of iranians in heaven
by Nazy Kaviani
19-Jul-2010
 

Shohreh Aghdashloo and Houshang Touzie backstage at the San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts, getting ready to go onstage.

 

This is just a quick note to tell you what a wonderful time it was at the yek irani dar behesht play last night! Houshang Touzie and Shohreh Aghdashloo were absolutely mesmerizing on the stage of San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts. From the first few seconds of the play's start, they had us all aboard of what became a most memorable night, full of reflection, thought, and most importantly, almost nonstop laughter! The brilliant script was really (really, seriously) funny! [Photo Essay]

The dynamic duo's sparkling performance was so smooth and so natural, it was hard to imagine that Touzie's excellent script was being followed by two seasoned actors on that stage.

I have to share a secret with you--though I love Iranian comedians, watching a few too many YouTube clips of some brand new Iranian comedians, I wondered not too long ago whether I would be willing to pay another $30 to watch another comedian bash and deprecate Iranians. The Touzie humor was just right in flavor and consistency for me, as his humor did make lots and lots of fun of us Iranians, our mannerisms, our outlook, our behavior, and our own brand of humor. But it was also a very loving examination of our sense of displacement, longing and belonging, family, family relationships, and most importantly, our male-female relationships.

When I interviewed Housang Touzie about his play, he said that he wished every Iranian would go to see his play. As the entire performance hall kept erupting with laughter last night, I kept thinking of all the people I wished were there to see it with me. That's when I realized how easy it was to share Touzie's wish.

This might be a good opportunity to thank Houshang Touzie and Shohreh Aghdashloo and their wonderful company members of Workshop '79 for taking the trouble to bring their play to the Bay Area. I would also like to thank my fellow-Iranian.com volunteers, Kayvan, Majid, Hadi, Payam, Layla, Hamid, Aria, Payam, Foaad, and Mehran. I should also thank the Iranian businesses in the Bay Area who so kindly promoted our event. Last, but not least, I would like to thank all those people who bought the tickets and came to see the show. We live in a truly amazing community; a community that promotes and supports the arts and loves the artists who choose to show their talents here.

For a couple of hours last night, we were all a bunch of very lucky Iranians in heaven.
[Photo
Essay]

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bajenaghe naghi

Nazy Jan

by bajenaghe naghi on Wed Jul 21, 2010 09:12 AM PDT

There is something much stronger than just black French Roast in that cup. Very hard to let go ;-)


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KayvanAli

Special thanks to Butterfly Buzz

by KayvanAli on Tue Jul 20, 2010 09:13 AM PDT

Special thanks to Bita from Butterfly Buzz for "insisting" that Iranian.com bring this show to the bay area again and introducing Iranian.com to these wonderful artists.

As an audience member, I can't remember when was the last time I laughed so hard; then thinking: Wait - that's a part of "me" that they've staged!

If the show comes to your part of the world, please try and see it, it's worth your time and memorable...


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Nazy Kaviani

Bajenagh Jan

by Nazy Kaviani on Mon Jul 19, 2010 11:01 PM PDT

We came looking for you to introduce you to a couple more Iranian.com contributors last night but we couldn't find you! It was such a pleasure meeting you. I'm so glad you came and that you made yourself known to me! You are just as warm in person and that avatar simply does not do you justice. Drop that cup right now BN Jan, you don't need it.

Let's keep connected Bajenagh Jan.


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Nazy Kaviani

Majid and Souri

by Nazy Kaviani on Mon Jul 19, 2010 10:39 PM PDT

Thanks so much for your kind words. You guys should plan on coming to San Francisco for our October event! It will be a blast! We will tell you about it soon!


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bajenaghe naghi

Nazy Jan

by bajenaghe naghi on Mon Jul 19, 2010 09:36 PM PDT

Thank you for your blog and the pre-show picture. 

I agree with all that you have written about the night and the play.  The actors were extraordinary and the play was absorbing and very funny. 

I also want to add that I was very fortunate to meet you, and even though you were so busy, you were gracious and kind to take time to introduce me to so many lovely people. Thank you Nazy jan.


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Majid

نازی خانوم

Majid
Mon Jul 19, 2010 08:42 PM PDT

 

خوشحالم که تو هم بهمراه تعدادی هموطن دیگه چند ساعتی رو در بهشت گذروندید! البتّه بعد از اون همه زحمت مطمئنم که رفتن به بهشت چسبید!

خیلی دلم میخواست منم اونجا بودم ولی نطلبید! انشاءالله یه فرصت دیگه.


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Souri

Nazy jon

by Souri on Mon Jul 19, 2010 08:03 PM PDT

Thank you for the warm words, I'm humbled, really.

I promise to come there for any event which will take place during the summer time! Sure!

After September, I will be a little busier. But thank you for the invitation. It touches my heart.


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Nazy Kaviani

Hi Souri Jan!

by Nazy Kaviani on Mon Jul 19, 2010 07:45 PM PDT

Souri, kojaee baba?!! How have you been? I miss you!

Souri, it was a really wonderful show! I do hope they come your way sometime.

On another note, you should also try to make it to one of the Iranian.com events. Baba, you promised before but didn't deliver! Be ghol-e sha'er: "hezaar va'deh khooban yeki vafa nakonand!"


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Souri

Thanks for the report

by Souri on Mon Jul 19, 2010 06:46 PM PDT

Nazy jon,

From the excellent report you just posted here, I guess that was a great show. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I wish they could come to Montreal too.

 


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