TEHRAN – A reading performance of acclaimed American playwright Neil Simon’s comedic fable “Fools” will be held at Tehran’s Shahrzad Theater Complex on Saturday.
The performance will be directed by Omid Alakouhi, and the cast will include Ramin Parchami, Amir Khanzadeh, Abbas Zamani, Yasaman Kazemi, and Sepideh Kasemi.
The reading will be based on the Persian translation of the play by Shahram Zargal.
The story of the play is set in the small Ukrainian village of Krienchikov in the late 19th century. It tells the story of Leon Steponovich Turchinsky, a schoolteacher who takes a new job educating Sophia, the daughter of Dr. Zubritsky and his wife Lenya. Leon soon learns that the village has a curse that makes everyone stupid, but complications arise when Leon falls in love with his student.
Simon’s skillful writing is on full display, weaving together historical fact and fiction to create a story that is both informative and laugh-out-loud funny. The play pokes fun at the conventions of traditional Russian culture and the absurdities of the Tsarist era, while maintaining a light-hearted and cheerful atmosphere.
Throughout the play, Simon uses his quick wit and clever dialogue to keep the audience laughing. From mistaken identity to outlandish misunderstandings, the comedy never stops on “Fools.” The play also explores themes of love, family, and cultural identity, adding depth and heart to the humor.
The play, which premiered at Broadway’s Eugene O’Neill Theater in 1981, is said to have been written as a result of an agreement Simon made with his wife during divorce proceedings. She was promised a profit on his next production, so he tried to write something that would never last on Broadway.
“Fools” was made into a stage musical in 1984 under the title “Klinchkov’s Curse,” with book and music by Peter Melnick, lyrics by Pat Pattison, and direction by Paul Warner.
It was serialized in the Old Library at Harvard University’s Leverett House from April to May 1984.
With Simon’s permission, the play was made into another musical in 1990, this time titled Krienchikov. It was produced in San Jose, California in November of the same year.
The Fool has been performed in Tehran theaters in recent years by several Iranian directors, including Nader Naderpour, Human Rahnemun, Majid Benamifar, Mohsen Sotoudeh, Majid Kashforshan, Faezeh Rastegar, and Satya Nurzi.
Neil Simon (1927-2018) was an American playwright and screenwriter. He has written more than 30 plays and has been nominated for more Oscars and Tony Awards combined than any other writer.
He was one of the most reliable hitmakers in Broadway history and one of the most accomplished playwrights in the world. Although primarily a comic book writer, several of his plays, particularly “Eugene’s Trilogy” and “The Sunshine Boys,” reflect the 20th century Jewish American experience.
SAB/