On Sunday afternoon, I attended the opening performance of Wish You Were Here, a play by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Sanaz Toossi, currently running at Gloucester Stage as the third play in the theater’s 45th anniversary season.
Wish You Were Here begins with a slow build, but its heart-wrenching, bittersweet conclusion packs a powerful punch. Stick with it—the emotional payoff is worth it.
Directed by Melory Mirashrafi, the regional premiere runs through August 25 and centers on the lives of five Iranian women navigating a decade of turbulence in 1980s Iran. Set entirely within one living room, the play follows these close friends as they transform from giddy girls to women who all come to understand the often harsh limits of life, all as their country undergoes its own transformation through violent political revolution and religious upheaval.
The play has won the Edgerton Foundation New Play Award, Toossi’s script has been described as a tapestry of “breathtaking humanity” interwoven with “cutting wit.” That’s true. The narrative is both universally resonant and deeply particular. The friends plan weddings, share secrets, and exchange sharp banter—all while confronting the chaos outside their doors that threaten their tightly knit bond.
The ensemble cast, each actress of Iranian heritage, makes a striking debut on Cape Ann. Isan Salem as the grounded Zari, Deniz Khateri as the idealistic Nazanin, Aryana Asefirad as the introspective Rana, Cerra Cardwell as the fiery Shideh, and Josephine Moshiri Elwood as the enigmatic Salme bring Toossi’s vivid, complex characters to life. The play was honed over weeks of rehearsal, and together on stage, these actors feel like lifelong friends. Remarkably, the play also credibly portrays the passage of time and the dramatic changes in the characters’ lives.
Rebecca Bradshaw, Gloucester Stage’s artistic director, captured the essence of the play when she said, “you feel like you have a seat on the couch next to her characters. They are messy and hilarious, but also haunted by the daunting realities seeping through their curtains.” She’s right. Wish You Were Here celebrates the beauty, ridiculousness, and pain of these women.
It’s also true that any story that delves into cultural tradition, particularly those steeped in religion, often tread carefully. Not this one. Wish You Were Here fearlessly goes into the intimate world of these women, who are funny, brash, and candid in a way that more than once made me think, “Did she really just say that!?” (Not to spoil anything, but, oh yes, she sure did.)
The technical production is worth mentioning for its thoughtful and creative visual and auditory design. The audience feels the revolution unfolding outside entirely through sound coming from off stage and it builds a steady, everpressent feeling of pressure. Also, simple changes in stage elements or costume additions—like adding a simple scarf—effectively convey jumps in time. These techniques—scenic design by Lindsay Fuori, costume design by Karen J. Gilmer, lighting design by Amanda Fallon, sound design by Bahar Royaee, and prop design by Emme Shaw—come together and really enhance the narrative.
I’m not Iranian, yet the play resonated deeply. I grew up in a home where only Spanish was spoken until I was about 10, led by my Costa Rican godmother. Like many, I was surrounded by a diverse ethnic community. Listening to the banter of these 1970s and 80s Iranian women felt familiar, reminding me of my godmother’s generation in “girlfriend mode.”
That said, being nearly 60, I remember Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, the ousting of the Shah, and the installation of a religious government. I recall the occupation of the American Embassy and the year-long captivity of 52 American hostages. These historical events added another layer of significance to the performance.
Wish You Were Here is a show about women—women who aren’t at the forefront of political revolutions but who often deal with the aftermath. These characters aren’t revolutionaries; they cherish the traditions that make up the rich history of Iran and Persia. The food, social ceremonies, marriage, children, and faith—all the elements that bind communities together—are present in this circle of women. They are simultaneously modern and traditional, yet their lives are shaped by forces beyond their control.
As their world heats up with political upheaval, their bonds are tested but somehow remain unbroken.
Performances are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m., all at the Gloucester Stage Co., 267 East Main St., Gloucester.
Tickets are now on sale and available at GloucesterStage.com.
