ENGLISH (Barrington Stage Company)
written by Sanaz Toossi
directed by Knud Adamswith Narges Kalogli, Pooya Mohseni, Nazanin Nour, Babak Tafti, Sanaz Toossi
set design by Afsoon Pajoufar
lighting design by Masha Tsimring
sound design by Kenny Neal
costume design by Dina El-Aziz
language, cultural, and casting consultancy by Ana Bayat
stage managed by Jason Brouillard
Barrington Stage Company, MA, 2023
The Berkshire Eagle feature: Knud Adams and Sanaz Toossi Interview
REVIEWS
“Toossi, the California-born daughter of Iranian immigrants, and her director Knud Adams — who directed the play’s co-production world premiere between Atlantic Theater Company and Roundabout Theatre Company in New York and again at Studio Theatre in Washington, D.C. — have the keen understanding to allow these characters to find their respective voices; speak for themselves often with a silence that speaks volumes.”
Jeffrey Borak, Berkshire Eagle
“Barrington Stage Company finishes a stellar season with its final mainstage offering, an insightful and nuanced production of English, which ran off-Broadway last year and five months ago won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.”
Steve Barnes, Albany Times Union
“The cast works beautifully together, well directed by Adams, and likely enhanced by the presence of Toossi in an intense, emotional role.”
Paula Kaplan-Reiss, Berkshire On Stage
“A fine production with dozens of little touches that almost pass unseen. His creative team here has worked to continue his process of presenting an excellent play in a perfect way.”
Berkshire Bright Focus, J. Peter Bergman
“It’s a play you savor and remember…. All are expert in their individual performances. Guided by director Knud Adams they form a genuine extended family.”
Bob Goepfert, The Saratogian
[PICK OF THE WEEK] “Quietly powerful production holds human connection close to its heart.”
Berkshires Week, Carli Scolforo
(photos by Knud Adams)
ENGLISH (Studio Theatre)
written by Sanaz Toossi
directed by Knud Adamswith Nina Ameri, Maboud Ebrahimzadeh, Tara Grammy, Narges Kalogli, Nazanin Nour
set design by Afsoon Pajoufar
lighting design by Minjoo Kim
sound design by Kenny Neal
costume design by Dina El-Aziz
language, cultural, and casting consultancy by Ana Bayat
dramaturgy by Adrien-Alice Hansel
stage managed by Leigh Robinette
Studio Theatre, D.C. 2023
The Washington Post: The best of theater in 2023
The Washington Post feature: Playwright can’t fix the world but hopes to make it a tiny bit better
REVIEWS
“Adams, who last season staged Mosaic Theater Company’s engrossing tech-world dramedy “Private” — and a compelling version of “English” for off-Broadway’s Atlantic Theater Company — shows a deep affinity for Toossi’s work in this second go with the play. Their collaboration is itself a textbook case of playwright and director communicating in a dynamic common language, one that, for lovers of potent theater, needs no translation.”
Peter Marks, The Washington Post review
“A deservedly splendid production, guided by director Knud Adams.”
Peter Marks, The Washington Post: The best of theater in 2023
“Adams’ staging retains a natural and intimate quality throughout.”
Jakob Cansler, DC Theater Arts
“The play's directorial style is never handled in a "heavy-handed" or reactionary manner. Director Knud Adams focused on the idiosyncrasies of the characters in an almost Chekhovian style… The Studio Theatre's production of English is an illuminating look into the language of linguistics and human connection.”
David Friscic, Broadway World
“The directorial choices by Knud Adams are smart and engaging… The production of “English” at Studio Theatre is an incredible display of how language and identity are connected and is highly recommended.”
Camron Wright, MD Theatre Guide
“A heartbreaking excavation of missed connections and fractured identities... Director Knud Adams ably takes on this challenge, infusing short lines and even silences with an emotionally suggestive quality.”
Nathan Pugh, dcist
(photo by Knud Adams)