"NASSIM" - by Nassim Soleimanpour - Huntington Theatre Company (Boston, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: Nassim Soleimanpour in a moment from "NASSIM," presented by Huntington Theatre Company at the The Calderwood, 527 Tremont Street in Boston, MA. through October 27, 2024. Photo Credit: David Monteith-Hodge)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
"Yeki Bood Yeki Nabood."
- ("Once Upon a Time") / Nassim Soleimanpour
Huntington Theatre Company
Presents Nassim Soleimanpour 's
"NASSIM"
Written and Performed by Nassim Soleimanpour
Directed by Omar Elerian
Featuring: A different, local VIP every performance
The Huntington Calderwood, 527 Tremont Street, Boston, MA. 02116
Performances:
October 4, 2024 through October 27, 2024
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
TICKETS:
Available online at huntingtontheatre.org, by phone at 617-266-0800 or in person at THE HUNTINGTON THEATRE, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston.
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This review is going to be a little different.
That's because this show is a little different.
It's not really a "play" in the strictest sense but it is not quite what one would refer to as "performance art," either.
I cannot even say it falls somewhere in between.
What I can tell you is that, in addition to being touching, "NASSIM" from Huntington Theatre Company at the The Calderwood in Boston is poignant and a hell of a lot of fun.
Did you ever want to learn a foreign language but really didn’t want to spend any time learning a foreign language?
Well, as "NASSIM" progresses, you may find that learning is an essential key required for universal communication and understanding.
If not, you may find the next 70-or-so minutes excruciating.
Me? I found it absolutely enlightening and entertaining.
(Photo: Nassim Soleimanpour in a moment from "NASSIM," presented by Huntington Theatre Company at the The Calderwood, 527 Tremont Street in Boston, MA. through October 27, 2024. Photo Credit: David Monteith-Hodge)
Directed by Omar Elerian, "NASSIM" is written and performed by Nassim Soleimanpour along with a guest victim...I mean, "V.I.P."...who communicates over 400 pages of "transactional exchanges" live and in real time with Soleimanpour himself, first backstage and then later together on stage.
The VIP at the October 9th performance was local celebity Jared Bowen of PBS.
Bowen is a member of the Elliot Norton Awards Selection Committee for Boston theater.
Bowen is contributor to the PBS NewsHour and Art New England magazine, has produced documentaries for WGBH and is recipient of two New England Emmy Awards.
Bowen also serves on the Board of Governors for the Boston/New England Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Yet, for all of that, Bowen appeared absolutely unnerved (okay, terrified) to be performing someone else's words on stage with never before having seen the words he was about to speak in real time in front of a packed house.
Whether or not this is a component inherent and critical to the success of "NASSIM" it did seem to add to the audience's overall enjoyment of that evening's performance.
(Photo: Nassim Soleimanpour in a moment from "NASSIM," presented by Huntington Theatre Company at the The Calderwood, 527 Tremont Street in Boston, MA. through October 27, 2024. Photo Credit: David Monteith-Hodge)
So, in "NASSIM" what is it we actually learn besides a few words and phrases in the author's native language of Farsi?
Quite a lot, actually.
We learn how Soleimanpour is from Iran,
We learn, among other words, how to pronounce "Soleimanpour."
We learn how Soleimanpour, too, struggles with the desire to learn a new language (English) and came up with this original and creative way to learn which is "NASSIM."
This show appears to be a reciprocal cultural exchange - it is an education as much for Soleimanpour as it is for us.
We become a little more educated about his home, his family, his culture.
We also learn about the family's home life - their struggles, joys, sorrows, and, of course, we learn about tomatoes.
We learn lots about tomatoes.
So many tomatoes.
(Photo: Guest Boston VIP participant Jared Bowen in a moment from "NASSIM," by Nassim Soleimanpour, presented by Huntington Theatre Company at the The Calderwood, 527 Tremont Street in Boston, MA. through October 27, 2024. Photo Credit: Mike Ritter)
The show is described as a "theatrical experiment" and that description is accurate.
Like Bowen, each performance will feature a different special guest who will be on stage, oblivious to the material, while the script waits unseen before them, sealed in a "box-like envelope."
"NASSIM" won the Fringe First Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, touring globally and translated and performed in the native language of each country.
At the October 9th performance, it was mentioned how Soleimanpour still has many places he would like to take the show to and to also learn that country's language, should the opportunity present itself.
Throughout the run of this production at The Huntington, both English and Farsi will be spoken, and over 25 distinct special guests will be featured, with a different notable person taking the stage each night.
(Photo: Nassim Soleimanpour in a moment from "NASSIM," presented by Huntington Theatre Company at the The Calderwood, 527 Tremont Street in Boston, MA. through October 27, 2024. Photo Credit: David Monteith-Hodge)
If communication really is the way to resolve global conflict, especially in light of recent events in Iran and Israel, it is in this reviewer's opinion that peace might begin with shows like "NASSIM."
Shows that have a good nature to them and prove how there is much more in this world that brings us closer together than pulls us apart.
I do not know Soleimanpour - nor does he know me.
I know not of his political leanings, nor of his likes or dislikes of those who may or may not share his own particular politics or religion.
However, in those 70 plus interactive minutes, I felt a little bit closer to him - with a growing understanding of where he came from, the language he speaks and the life he led as a child growing up in Iran.
I walked out of that theatre and passed a building nearby which had embedded on it a large Star of David.
Just being that close to each other, I thought to myself, "Peace CAN happen. Don't tell me peace can't happen. Not after what I just witnessed less than half a mile from where this stands."
Just call me a cockeyed optimist, I guess. Between chaos and joy I'll choose joy every time.
With that said, and just as a public service reminder, don't forget to vote.
"NASSIM" continues at The Huntington Calderwood, 527 Tremont Street in Boston until October 27th, 2024 and see for yourself how this show is just a flat out good time that also happens to bring us ALL a little bit closer together.
Up next the Huntington Theatre Company will be "SOJOURNERS" by Mfoniso Udofia beginning October 31st, 2024.
For tickets or more information, contact huntingtontheatre.org or call # 617-266-0800.
Approximately 75 minutes with no intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
Slightly autobiographical, and totally universal, "NASSIM" is a heartwarming and audacious theatrical experiment.
Each night a different special guest who has never seen the show or read the script will join the playwright on stage, to forge a fresh relationship as they navigate language and life differences together in joyful real time in front of an audience.
Special guests will be announced ahead of time, closer to the start of performances.
“I’m thrilled to introduce my friend, the brilliant writer Nassim Soleimanpour and his gorgeous show simply entitled 'NASSIM' to each of you this fall,” says Huntington Artistic Director Loretta Greco.
“Renowned internationally (his work has been translated into more than 30 languages), 'NASSIM' is equal parts inventive theatre maker, magical clown, cultural critic, and gentle community builder. His vulnerable exploration of connection through language transcends borders with grace and offers rare moment-to-moment surprises, large doses of laughter, and resonant understated impact.”
"NASSIM" was originally commissioned and produced by the Bush Theatre in 2017, won the Fringe First Award at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and subsequently was performed in 20 countries within a 200 day span.
In 2019, the play won the Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Unique Theatrical Experience.
New York Theatre Guide called "NASSIM" a “life-changing experience” and Pelican Magazine described it as “a play for innovators, dreamers, and people who aim to break boundaries. It’s a breeze, it’s a delight, and it is a must-watch.”
“I am beyond excited to bring 'NASSIM' to The Huntington and the great city of Boston as we approach show number 500,” says playwright Nassim Soleimanpour. “In a world full of bitter divisiveness, 'NASSIM' warmly invites us to unite and make new friends through the power of live entertainment. We look forward to doing so – with you! – in October.”
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ABOUT THE HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY
THE HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY is Boston’s leading professional theatre and one of the region’s premier cultural assets since its founding in 1982. Recipient of the 2013 Regional Theatre Tony Award, THE HUNTINGTON brings together superb local and national talent and produces a mix of groundbreaking new works and classics made current to create award-winning productions. THE HUNTINGTON runs nationally renowned programs in education and new play development and serves the local theatre community through its operation of the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA. THE HUNTINGTON has long been an anchor cultural institution of Huntington Avenue, the Avenue of the Arts, and will remain so on a permanent basis with plans to convert the Huntington Avenue Theatre into a first-rate, modern venue with expanded services to audiences, artists, and the community. THE HUNTINGTON cultivates, celebrates, and champions theatre as an art form.
