A New Connection: Marjan Neshat and the Power of "English"
When Marjan Neshat first read the script for Sanaz Toossi’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play English, she felt an immediate and profound connection. Although she had never worked with Toossi before, the Iranian-born actor recognized something deeply personal in the story and its characters. Her connection was heightened by the fact that her character in the play shares her first name, Marjan. Neshat recalls Toossi joking that she had "written her into being," a sentiment that resonated deeply with the actor. For the first time in her adult life, she found herself pronouncing her name correctly onstage, as it would be pronounced in Farsi. This small but significant detail made her realize the "gold" in the play—a testament to its authenticity and emotional depth.
English, which opened on Broadway at the Todd Haimes Theatre on January 23, is set in Karaj, a city just outside Tehran, in 2008. The play follows Marjan, a woman who has returned to Iran after spending nine years in England. She is teaching a TOEFL preparation class for adult students, each with their own unique reasons for learning English. The eldest student, Roya, hopes to reunite with her son in Canada, while the youngest, Goli, sees English as a gateway to new opportunities. The group’s dynamics are further complicated by the fiery Elham, who is determined to pass the TOEFL after five failed attempts, and Omid, the male student with whom Marjan forms a close bond. Neshat’s portrayal of Marjan is both nuanced and powerful, capturing the complexities of identity, culture, and belonging.
A Broadway Debut and the Magic of Multilingual Storytelling
English marks Neshat’s Broadway debut, a milestone that comes after her critically acclaimed performance in the play’s 2022 off-Broadway production at the Atlantic Theater Company. When the play was first staged, audiences and critics alike were struck by its innovative storytelling, particularly the way Toossi and director Knud Adams wove Farsi into the dialogue while keeping the majority of the play in English. This bilingual approach created a unique theatrical experience, allowing audiences to feel the emotional weight of the characters’ cultural duality.
For Neshat, the play resonates deeply with her own experiences as an Iranian immigrant who grew up in England and later the United States. She sees parallels between her own life and that of her character, who feels a deep longing for something beyond her circumstances. “My character feels more alive in the possibility of something that’s not her birthright,” she explains. “I think that’s a real human quality, to live in a fantasy of how you want to see yourself. I feel protective of that in her.” This connection gives her performance an authenticity that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.
The play’s ability to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers is part of its magic. Neshat believes that English offers a subtle but powerful message at a time when global politics often emphasizes division. “What’s been brought back is the divisiveness and this attempt to make people feel scared and smaller,” she says. “My hope for the play is that it speaks to our connection and the fact that we are all closer than we think. It’s a way to open up and be more tender. I don’t know what else can fight what is coming at us other than that.” For Neshat, the play is not just a story about language or identity but a reminder of the shared humanity that unites us all.
From Iran to Broadway: Neshat’s Journey
Neshat’s journey to Broadway was anything but straightforward. Born in Iran, she moved to England with her family as a child before eventually settling in the United States. Her love for acting was sparked during her teenage years in Seattle, where she performed in a community production of the comedy Play On! at the age of 14. “I was a hypersensitive kid, and that play was my first experience of not feeling lonely,” she recalls. “In every other aspect of my life, my hypersensitivity was a weakness, but in this world, having access to feelings and empathy is a superpower.”
However, her parents were less than supportive of her passion for acting. Her mother, a psychiatric nurse who had seen the darker side of life, worried about the risks of the entertainment industry. “My mom was like, ‘Have you heard of Marilyn Monroe? She died of drugs and depravity,’” Neshat remembers. But she was stubborn and determined to pursue her dreams. Her perseverance paid off when her performance as Marjan in English earned her an Obie Award in 2022. The recognition marked a turning point in her career, opening doors to more significant roles both on stage and screen.
Breaking Barriers and Expanding Horizons
Neshat’s success in English has been followed by a string of high-profile roles that have further cemented her place in the entertainment industry. She has appeared in plays such as Selling Kabul, Sandra, and Wish You Were Here, the latter also written by Toossi. On screen, she has gained recognition for her role as Azita Taheri in the Netflix series The Night Agent, where she portrays a mother desperate to flee Iran after the death of her son. These roles have not only showcased her versatility as an actor but also deepened her understanding of the impact of her work.
For Neshat, the experience of playing Marjan in English has been transformative. She has come to see her craft as not just a form of self-expression but also as a way to connect with others on a deeper level. “There’s always this feeling of, ‘I have so much more to give and I have so much more to say,’” she reflects. “I’ve dreamed of these roles, but I didn’t necessarily know they were possible. But having had a taste of what it’s like to carry something, collaborate, and make it grow, I’m eager to continue on that path.”
A Message of Hope in Divisive Times
English opened on Broadway just days after Donald Trump’s second inauguration, a time when political tensions and divisions were running high. While the play avoids overt political statements, its themes of longing, belonging, and the power of language to connect us feel especially relevant in this climate. Neshat believes that the play offers a much-needed antidote to the divisiveness of our times. By focusing on the shared human experiences of its characters, English reminds audiences of the ways in which we are all connected, regardless of our backgrounds.
For Neshat, the play is not just a story about language or identity but a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. “I think we all feel that way,” she says of the desire to seek something greater than ourselves. “But having had a taste of what it’s like to carry something, collaborate, and make it grow, I’m eager to continue on that path.” As English continues to resonate with audiences on Broadway, Neshat’s performance stands as a reminder of the power of theater to inspire, to connect, and to remind us of our shared humanity.
A Bright Future on Stage and Screen
As Marjan Neshat looks to the future, she is filled with a sense of purpose and possibility. Her journey from Iran to Broadway is a testament to the power of determination and the impact of storytelling. With roles in English, The Night Agent, and other projects, Neshat is proving herself to be one of the most exciting talents in the entertainment industry today. Her ability to bring depth and nuance to her characters has earned her critical acclaim and a loyal audience.
Neshat’s success is not just a personal triumph but also a victory for underrepresented voices in the arts. By sharing stories that bridge cultures and challenge stereotypes, she is helping to create a more inclusive and empathetic world. As she continues to grow as an artist, Marjan Neshat remains committed to using her platform to tell stories that matter. Whether on Broadway or screen, her ability to connect with audiences and bring characters to life ensures that her future is bright indeed.
