Regional News

Moritz von Stuelpnagel Will Direct Globe Premiere of Michael Shayan’s Avaaz

The production will play South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, California, starting April 29.

Moritz von Stuelpnagel and Michael Shayan

Hand to God Tony nominee Moritz von Stuelpnagel will direct the globe premiere of avaaz, penned by queer Iranian American playwright Michael Shayan, April 29-May possibly 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 dwelling to celebrate the Iranian New Year, Nowruz. She explores departing Iran soon 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,” says Artistic Director David Ivers. “It chronicles the struggle and reveals the fortitude so familiar to so numerous 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 Right here. He was a Lambda Literary Playwriting Fellow and is building an original perform for Audible. His playwriting credits include things like the Geffen Playhouse, New York Stage and Film, and Rattlestick, amongst other folks. 

The style and inventive group incorporates 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.

Visit SCR.org.