
“NOTHING PREPARED ME FOR THE UTTER TRANSCENDENCE.” ★★★★★ ~ GLENN SUMI
KITCHENER: World Premiere. Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts, May 25th - June 4th, 2023
LONDON: The Grand Theatre London, July, 2023
HAMILTON: Hamilton Festival Theatre Company, July 19th - 28th, 2024
TORONTO: The Theatre Centre, September 26th - 29th, 2024
PORT HOPE: Capitol Theatre, August 12th - 17th, 2025
Delivered with crack timing and the self-confidence born of vulnerability. And yes, the laughter is as therapeutic as it is uproarious. Etemadi has to do it again.” ~ Drew Rowsome
IZAD ETEMADI: LET ME EXPLAIN
Written & PErformed by Izad Etemadi
DIRECTED BY MATT WHITE
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. This production features theatrical haze and flashing lights. Viewers may experience therapeutic laughter and should not start the show with a full bladder. Recommended age 13+ years.
RUNNING TIME: 65 minutes with NO INTERMISSION.
Photo of Izad Etemadi by Yes And Photography
Photo by Conan Stark featuring Izad Etemadi, May 2023
Photo by Conan Stark featuring Izad Etemadi, May 2023
Photo by Conan Stark featuring Izad Etemadi, May 2023
Photo by Conan Stark featuring Izad Etemadi, May 2023
Photo by Conan Stark featuring Izad Etemadi, May 2023
Photo by Conan Stark featuring Izad Etemadi, May 2023
Photo by Conan Stark featuring Izad Etemadi, May 2023
Photo by Conan Stark featuring Izad Etemadi, May 2023
Photo by Conan Stark featuring Izad Etemadi, May 2023
Photo by Conan Stark featuring Izad Etemadi, May 2023
Photo by Conan Stark featuring Izad Etemadi, May 2023
Photo by Conan Stark featuring Izad Etemadi, May 2023
Photo by Conan Stark featuring Izad Etemadi, May 2023
Photo of Izad Etemadi by Yes And Photography
ABOUT IZAD
Izad Etemadi is an Iranian Canadian actor and writer based in Toronto. He was a resident of the 2021/2022 CBC Actor’s Conservatory at the Canadian Film Centre and received the 2017 Emerging Queer Artist Award from Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Select on-screen credits include Orphan Black: Echoes (AMC), Ghosts (CBS), Settle Down (CBC Gem/OutTV) and Revenge of the Black Best Friend (CBC).
In 2022, Izad originated the role of Samuel in the Canadian musical Grow and played Buddy in Elf the Musical at The Grand Theatre. He recently played Donovan in the world premiere of The Bidding War at Crow’s Theatre and will play Olaf in Frozen this Christmas. This summer he has been playing Kevin J & Others in the Gander production of Come From Away.
His critically acclaimed solo show, Izad Etemadi: Let Me Explain, produced by Green Light Arts, has played to sold-out houses and rave reviews across and was named one of the Top 10 Toronto Theatre Productions of 2024 by Glenn Sumi. As a screenwriter, he has projects in development and production with Cameron Pictures, Bell Fibe TV, CBC Gem, Out TV and Border2Border Entertainment.
CREATIVE TEAM
IZAD ETEMADI — Playwright & Performer
MATT WHITE — Director
CARIN LOWERISON — Producer
HELEN YUNG — Original Set Designer
PAUL CEGYS — Original Lighting Designer
NADIA URSACKI — Production Manager (World Premiere, June 2023)
JACK MELDRUM — Marketing Coordinator (World Premiere, June 2023)
ALEX JODI VERGE — Stage Manager (World Premiere, June 2023 & Hamilton Fringe 2024)
FARNOOSH TALEBPOUR — Touring Stage Manager (Toronto Theatre Centre, Sept 2024)
JANELLE RAINVILLE - Touring State Manager (Capitol Theatre, August 2025)