Hand to God Tony nominee Moritz von Stuelpnagel directs the world premiere of avaaz, penned by queer Iranian American playwright Michael Shayan, April 29-May 27 on South Coast Repertory's Segerstrom Stage.

Playwright Shayan also stars in the solo show, portraying his mother, Roya, who welcomes audiences into her home to celebrate the Iranian New Year, Nowruz. She explores departing Iran after the Iranian Revolution and moving to “Tehran-geles,” California.

“Michael Shayan’s avaaz is at turns hilarious and heartwarming. Provocative, evocative and universal, the story traces his mother’s journey from Tehran to Los Angeles,” said Artistic Director David Ivers in an earlier statement. “It chronicles the struggle and reveals the fortitude so familiar to so many Americans.”

Shayan was a consulting producer for the Discovery+ series The Book of Queer and worked on the Emmy-winning HBO Max show We’re Here. He was a Lambda Literary Playwriting Fellow and is developing an original work for Audible. His playwriting credits include the Geffen Playhouse, New York Stage and Film, and Rattlestick, among others. 

The design and creative team includes set designer Beowulf Boritt, costume designer Joshua “Domino” Schwartz, lighting designer Amith Chandrashaker, sound designer Noel Nichols from UptownWorks, projections designer Yee Eun Nam, vocal coach Lauren Lovett, dramaturg Abigail Katz, and casting director Joanne DeNaut. 

Maisie Chan is the production manager, Natalie Figaredo is the production stage manager, and Kathryn Davies is the assistant stage manager.

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