SIGN UP FOR LESSONS IN "ENGLISH" AT THEATERWORKS HARTFORD

The English language is full of idioms, peculiarities, exceptions, and just plain inexplicable rules and regulations. It may not look as complex as Russian or Chinese, but it is challenging, especially for newcomers to the U. S. A., emigrants and foreigners who come in hope and promise to our shores. Imagine the frustration and challenge you might feel if you were about to leave your country of origin and venture to a new land and the mixture of anticipation and dread you might experience. Thanks to playwright Sanaz Toossi, the winner of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, you are invited to attend the classes of four Iranian students as they struggle and often succeed in learning “English” at TheaterWorks Hartford until Saturday, November 8.

It is the primary task of teacher Marjan, a dedicated Neagheen Homaifar, to help her students to pass a final exam in English, the TOEFL, so that can gain the proficiency to fill their goals, each different and each so important to their self-esteem. She insists they only speak English in class and not Farsi, their native language. They have Show and Tell, play games naming all the utensils and objects in a kitchen, and even learn by watching movies of romance and comedy from America. Marjan, herself, is someone of mystery because she lived in England for nine years and has returned to Iran, but why?

To each student, learning a new language is a gift, a challenging gift, one that may cause them to grieve leaving their homeland, to disappear, to belong nowhere, to lose their identity, to lose more than they gain. For Sahar Milani’s Elham, it means opening a door to medical school in Australia. To Afsheen Misaghi’s Omid, the only male in the classroom, it is a guarantee he will pass his interview for an American green-card. In the serious ways of Pantea Ommi’s Roya, it means going to move to Canada or at least a way to communicate with her granddaughter, while for Anahita Monfared’s lighthearted young Goli, the lessons are keeping her options open for college. Goli’s recitation of the lyrics to a Ricky Martin CD are humorous and make her feel taller.

When the students speak English, it is haltingly pronounced but when they speak their native Farsi, even though forbidden, it is lyrical and without hesitation. Clearly they are struggling with their identities, in fear of losing more of themselves then they are gaining. Arya Shahi directs this involving journey into personalities willing to change their insides and outside personas in the pursuit of a new identity in 2008 Iran.

For tickets ($43-78 ), call TheaterWorks Hartford, now in its 40th season, 233 Pearl Street, Hartford at 860-527-7838 or online at https://twhartford.org.

Whether you are playing a game naming things that are green, calling out items of clothing, or reciting classroom objects, you are still learning a new language that is promising to change your career, future and life.