Izad Etemadi: Let Me Explain (OPENING NIGHT)

Event Details

Event type: Ages 14+

IZAD ETEMADI: LET ME EXPLAIN

WORLD PREMIERE

WRITTEN & PERFORMED BY IZAD ETEMADI
DIRECTION & DRAMATURGY BY MATT WHITE

MAY 25-JUNE 4, 2023

VENUE: The Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts
36 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 1A3

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Izad Etemadi has spent most of his life explaining himself to others. His ethnicity, his sexuality, the pronunciation of his name.

But as an elder millennial dealing with back pain and digestive issues, he doesn’t have the time or energy to keep explaining things.

Through jokes, songs, and deeply personal stories, this queer Iranian-Canadian immigrant born in Germany is going to attempt to explain his entire existence in sixty-ish minutes, so he never has to do it again.

Izad Etemadi: Let Me Explain was conceived by Izad and developed by Green Light Arts. The first draft came into being during the Pandemic. This is the world premiere.
 

“[Izad's] character work was divine” – Broadway World

“Scene-stealing” – The Globe and Mail

“The mysterious performer behind the act blends over-the-top storytelling, comic cover songs and running punny gags into a laugh-filled tale” – Now Magazine

“Etemadi could weave a tale about a hangnail and leave his audience breathless” – View Mag

“Comedic genius is on display” – The Chronicle Herald

AUDIENCE ADVISORY: This play discusses racism, homophobia, terrorism, religion, and features a fair share of swearing. Viewers may experience therapeutic laughter and should not start the show with a full bladder. Recommended age 13+ years.

RUNNING TIME: 60 minutes with NO INTERMISSION.

ABOUT IZAD

Izad Etemadi is an Iranian-Canadian actor and writer based out of Toronto. He was a resident of the 2021/2022 CBC Actor’s Conservatory at the Canadian Film Centre and the recipient of the 2017 Emerging Queer Artist award from Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. On-screen credits include Orphan Black: Echoes (AMC), Ghosts (CBS), Overlord and the Underwoods (CBC/Nickelodeon), and Revenge of the Black Best Friend (CBC Gem). In 2022, he originated the role of Samuel in the new Canadian musical Grow (from the producers of Come From Away) at The Grand Theatre and returned later that season to play Buddy the Elf in Elf the Musical. His short film Plant Daddy won the 2023 Queer Your Stories short film competition, garnering a screening at the prestigious Inside Out Festival. Outside of acting and writing, he has over five years of experience working in casting for film and television.

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Venue

The Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts

36 King St W, Kitchener, ON N2G 1A3

Production Team

Playwright & Performer IZAD ETEMADI*
Director & Dramaturg MATT WHITE*
Set Designer HELEN YUNG
Lighting Designer PAUL CEGYS**
Stage Manager ALEX JODI VERGE
Production Manager NADIA URSACKI
Producer CARIN LOWERISON
Marketing Coordinator JACQUELINE MELDRUM

*Appears courtesy of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association.

**Appears courtesy of the Associated Designers of Canada.

Show Schedule

• Thur. May 25, 2023 | 8:00PM (Preview)
• Fri. May 26, 2023 | 8:00PM (Opening Night)
• Sat. May 27, 2023 | 8:00PM
• Sun. May 28, 2023 | 4:00PM (pay-what-you-can)
• Thur. June 1, 2023 | 8:00PM
• Fri. June 2, 2023 | 8:00PM
• Sat. June 3, 2023 | 8:00PM
• Sun. June 4, 2023 | 4:00PM (pay-what-you-can)

Accessibility

The Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts is equipped with power doors, an elevator, accessible washrooms, and accessible seating to accommodate persons requiring mobility assistance. Guide dogs or other service animals are always welcome. We welcome all patrons with disabilities. Support persons will receive a complimentary ticket. Please contact Steven Jackson (sjackson@kwsymphony.on.ca) to coordinate any specific accessibility needs for your visit.

COVID-19 Protocols

Audience members visiting the Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts are not required to wear masks, however the wearing of a well-fitted mask is strongly encouraged. Physical distancing and frequent hand washing continue to be highly recommended.

Parking

• 2-hrs of FREE STREET PARKING on many DTK streets
• Ontario St. S. lot — access from Halls Lane (FREE after 5pm Mon-Sat, and all-day Sun)
• Water St. S. lot - access from Water St S. (FREE after 5pm Mon-Sat, and all-day Sun)
• Charles & Benton garage – access from Charles St. E.

Transit

• Closest LRT stops to the Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts are KITCHENER MARKET STATION, FREDERICK STATION, and QUEEN STATION

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