the Goodman Theatre and the Guthrie Theater, Dehghani grew up in Iran and built his theatrical career there before coming to the U.S. “I had the same experience of all of these characters in the play,” he says. “I was 30-something years old when I started learning English. So I could feel and relate to these characters so much.” English is what Dehghani calls “a political play in a very non-political way.” It is set in 2008, at a time in Iran when, as Dehghani recalls, “there was some hope that it’s going to change, we are going to be free more, and that energy was in the air.” And while the intervening years have brought some changes — Dehghani notes how common it has become for Iranian women to go out in public without a hijab — there is no escaping the present-day realities of repression. This past January, shortly after Dehghani’s most recent visit to Iran, the government responded to nationwide protests with a brutal crackdown that left thousands dead. For Dehghani, the violence has raised new questions as he prepares to bring English to the Denver Center stage. “Should I bring something that is more immediate that people can see outside, that is connected to the present moment? Or should I just look at this production as its own, without looking at the context or what’s happening outside in the world?” Ultimately, Dehghani says his artistic choices are guided by the humanizing power of theatre. “You see cellphone footage of people protesting or getting shot on the street,” he says, “but you don’t know them. Seeing a play like English as itself, as authentic, as true to the life of these characters, I think in a very honest and deep way connects you to people on the street.” As Dehghani sees it, that sense of connection isn’t limited to people half a world away — it also extends to those who have recently arrived in one’s own community. “This is an immigration story,” he says. “It’s like the first chapter of an immigrant’s story.” Whereas most immigrant stories open at the moment of arrival, English is in many ways a story of departure, of the struggle and self-doubt that comes with deciding to leave one’s home — and hopefully, somehow, find a new one.
I had the same experience of all of these characters in the play. I was 30-something years old when I started learning English. So I could feel and relate to these characters so much. — HAMID DEHGHANI, DIRECTOR
NEXT UP FROM BROADWAY
HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD For the first time, Denver audiences will have the chance to experience Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the internationally acclaimed stage production playing the Buell Theatre May 30–June 21. The play, which earned six Tony Awards including Best Play, has been praised for its imaginative storytelling and theatrical innovation. Forbes called it “one of the most defining pop culture events of the decade.” Set years after the final chapter of the original saga, the play invites fans into an all new adventure in the wizarding world. At its heart is Albus Potter, whose unexpected friendship with Scorpius Malfoy leads them on a journey that explores family legacy, responsibility, and the delicate boundaries of time. Their story brings fresh dimension to beloved characters while offering a contemporary perspective on the world audiences know. Critics have noted the production’s blend of emotional storytelling and inventive stagecraft. The New York Times described it as a “marvel of imagination,” while People remarked that the illusions leave audiences wondering “how’d they do that?” long after the curtain falls. For Denver theatergoers, the engagement offers a rare opportunity to experience a landmark piece of modern theatre — and a new chapter of magic — up close.
“I still feel that duality,” says Dehghani, “of being both Persian and living in an English culture and country.” And while he acknowledges that duality can be a source of challenge, it is also, in his telling, a gift. “Producing this play here, in the U.S., for me…feels like home. Bringing a piece of home on a stage.” Editor’s Note: This interview took place before the recent U.S. and Israeli actions in Iran and were not part of the conversation.
ENGLISH
APRIL 17 – MAY 31 • SINGLETON THEATRE ASL Interpreted and Audio Described performance: May 3 at 1:30pm Stay for a post-show discussion on May 12, 20 & 28 Albus (Joshua Sullivan) and Scorpius (Kai Spackman). Photo by Manuel Harlan.