Avaaz
1529 Sixteenth Street, NW Washington
In what The Washington Post calls "the role he was born to play," Michael Shayan explores his Iranian heritage and complicated family through the sparkle and luster of a dinner party by embodying the real star of the story - his mother, Roya. A dazzling hostess, Michael's Roya welcomes the audience into her home to celebrate Nowruz, the Iranian New Year. She prepares a feast for her guests in both the form of a meal and the tale of her life: she's a resilient and hilarious narrator, diving deep into the immigrant experience as a single mother of a queer son, a Jew in Iran, and a Persian in America, all while crafting an irresistible feast for her guests. It's the dinner party of the season - and one you won't want to miss.
Jun 6, 2026 - Jun 21, 2026