'English' review — play about communication aces its Broadway debut
Read our review of English on Broadway, a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Sanaz Toossi that previously premiered at Atlantic Theater Company off Broadway in 2022.
English begins with a teacher writing the words “English Only” on the whiteboard. These two words set into motion a moving show that wrestles with identity and showcases the chaos and power of communication. In any language, English is a triumph: Sanaz Toossi's Pulitzer Prize-winning play is a compelling exploration of how language shapes who we are and how we navigate the world.
Under the direction of Knud Adams, the characters seamlessly transition between fast-paced and slower, more deliberate dialogue. These shifts are a beautiful theatrical device that mirrors the characters' transition from their native Farsi to navigating a new language — while adhering to the "English Only" rule to benefit the audience.
These linguistic gymnastics go beyond the speed of the dialogue: The characters adopt new identities when they speak English. The headstrong Elham (Tala Ashe) shifts from combative to overwhelmed as she navigates the English language. For 18-year-old Goli (Ava Lalezarzadeh), speaking English makes her feel a few inches taller, while the teacher (Marjan Neshat) falls into a different, more relaxed persona when speaking her native tongue.
While the characters' motivations for learning English and passing the Test of English as a Foreign Language exam — such as securing a green card or entering medical school — are high stakes, Toossi’s play is comedic. In one hilarious scene, Goli plays Ricky Martin’s 2000 song “She Bangs” and reads out the lyrics as part of an assignment.
There’s something powerful about the play being set in a single classroom (scenic design by Marsha Ginsberg). Within the classroom, which revolves, the students are learning a language that will transport them to new places and open up new opportunities. The outside world is beautifully suggested by lighting (designed by Reza Behjat) filtering through the classroom curtains, rising and falling with the passage of time, as if holding hope for the future.
English summary
In an Iranian classroom, students are learning English in preparation for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), a standardized exam that assesses the proficiency of non-native English speakers. Each student has their own personal motivation for mastering the language: one needs a passing score to enter medical school, another hopes to secure a green card, and yet another aims to converse with her granddaughter.
Learning English is a gateway to new opportunities, but for some students, it makes them think about their native language and culture in challenging ways.
What to expect at English
English first debuted off Broadway with Atlantic Theater Company in 2022 in a co-production with Roundabout Theatre Company, which produces the Broadway run. Sanaz Toossi won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for English. The play runs 1 hour and 40 minutes, with no intermission, at the Todd Haimes Theatre on Broadway.
What audiences are saying about English
At the time of publication, English has an 80% rating on Show-Score with mostly positive audience reviews of the writing and performances.
- “Superb cast and loved the writing! Thoroughly enjoyed the evening and was so happy I chose to see the show with its well drawn characters and relatable personal stories and the humor peppered throughout.” - Show-Score user DARTheatreLover
- “A deceptively simple, totally gripping character study and reflection on identity and human (dis-)connection. Completely wonderful…” - Show-Score user WillK
- “Saw this production off broadway and enjoyed its current production on broadway as well..moments of comedy and drama makes for an interesting experience at the theater.” - Show-Score user Phil 9070
- “Beautifully staged and acted: like a love story to language and word and personhood. Scenic design was wonderful and the cast really let this Pulitzer Prize winner soar.” - Show-Score user Ray of Light
Read more audience reviews of English on Show-Score.
Who should see English
- Theatregoers who enjoyed the play’s downtown debut will appreciate its Broadway treatment.
- Theatre enthusiasts who enjoy stagings of Pulitzer Prize-winning shows should see this one.
- Fans of Sanaz Toossi’s Wish You Were Here, which was staged at Playwrights Horizons in 2022, should see her best-known work.
Learn more about English
This gem of a production is an excellent showcase of the award-winning play, with top-tier performances and deft direction.
Photo credit: English on Broadway. (Photos by Joan Marcus)
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