After premiering his one-person comedy show with Green Light Arts in 2023 and then winning “Best in Venue” at the Hamilton Fringe in 2024, Toronto’s favourite Persian Prince is back to grace the stage of the BMO Incubator at The Theatre Centre from September 26th - 29th for 4 SHOWS ONLY.

Izad Etemadi: Let Me Explain is the comedy special we all so desperately need. Let Me Explain showcases Izad sharing his own stories about being a gay Iranian-Canadian whose name no one can pronounce and who has really cornered the market on 'role' diversity with all those terrorist auditions he had to go to.

Etemadi is a busy artist in high-demand. Recognized for recent TV roles on Orphan Black: Echoes (AMC), Ghosts (CBS), Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Paramount+) and The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu/MGM) and his acclaimed stage work in the new Canadian musical Grow and as a Buddy the Elf in Elf: The Musical with The Grand Theatre, Etemadi is also no stranger to one-person shows: pre-COVID you may have been lucky enough to see his alter-ego Leila, who took off as a cult phenomenon across Southwestern Ontario.

Through songs, stories, re-enactments, and playful audience interaction, Izad Etemadi: Let Me Explain takes us on a journey through Izad’s world – Born in a refugee camp in Germany, his move to Victoria, his first boy crush, a venture to Musical Theatre School looking for a gay fantasia, coming out to his immigrant parents, and making it in show biz.

When asked about the title of the show, Izad shares, “Immigrants have to explain themselves all the time, their name, their ethnicity, their reasons for being in Canada. It’s exhausting!” Izad continues, “With this show, I’m going to explain everything there is to know about me, so I never have to do it again!”

Director, Matt White (Artistic Director and Co-Founder of GLA), points out one of the key intentions Izad set out when approaching him and GLA about working on the project: “It has to be funny”. Some of the stories shared are sad or frustrating to hear. “Because for so much of his life, Izad has been told who the world thinks he should be but this show is his way of taking back the narrative and being who he wants to be. Laughter becomes a celebration of that unique human that is Izad. It’s heart-hitting and a total blast. Don’t be surprised when this show gets picked up by Netflix.”

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

SHOW SCHEDULE:

Thursday, September 26th at 7PM

Friday, September 27th at 7PM

Saturday, September 28th at 7PM

Sunday, September 29th at 4PM

Running time is 65 minutes with NO intermission (this means you can be in bed by 9PM!!) All performances are in the BMO Incubator at The Theatre Centre (1115 Queen St W, Toronto ON M6J 1J)

General Admission: $25 with a select amount of PWYC tickets per show.

TICKETS: theatrecentre.org.

Photo: Izad Etemadi. © 2023 Conan Stark.