*Washington Post, “This version, too, often artfully exploits the border area between humor, suspense and dread. Part of the credit goes to Ebrahimzadeh’s persuasive portrait of Katurian as a laid-back yet cocky working-class striver and to Konicek’s affecting turn as the alarmingly childlike Michal.”

*DCTheatreScene, “Cannily shaded performances from Maboud Ebrahimzadeh and especially James Konicek are key draws in Forum Theatre’s revival… a nuanced and emotionally plangent rapport between Ebrahimzadeh and Konicek, who take the time to connect not just with the words and the claims in the text, but with each other’s eyes and bodies in the playing space. There’s a convincing sense that they’ve lived long together, that only they know what they know. And as the play’s circumstances force a change in that dynamic, the emotional cost for both men, and for the audience, is substantial.”

*TheatreBloom, “Ebrahimzadeh delivers his character with a striking level of vulnerability and earnestness. There is no subversion or provocation in his portrayal, only honest emotions, most of which translate plainly across his vividly expressed face. When Ebrahimzadeh delves into ‘storytelling mode’ either directly to the audience, like in cases of “The Writer and The Writer’s Brother” or in “The Little Jesus”, he becomes a vessel of words that transports the tale to our ears and our ears to the tale.”

*BroadwayWorld, “What keeps us intrigued are some solid performances led by Ebrahimzadeh, who anchors the production. He gives a wonderfully nuanced performance as Katurian, effortlessly channeling the character’s various layers. There’s the passionate storyteller, devoted brother and street-smart prisoner all of which we see in his relationships with each of the other characters.”

*DCist, “The actors are all willing and highly capable… with over-the-top-playfulness and imposing physical presences, bringing more than enough comedic chops to make the audience laugh… just enough barely-under-the-surface sadism to never make those laughs feel totally comfortable. Maboud Ebrahimzadeh’s Katurian plays off of this feeling well, knowing exactly when to play the straight man to [the] antics and when to open up and reveal some of Katurian’s many inner darkness (and there is more than enough to fill a show).”

*TakomaVoice, “Maboud Ebrahimzadeh is an engaging, but mentally tough, Katurian: fiercely loyal to his brother, yet ultimately most loyal of all to his calling as a writer. He makes you believe it.”

*DCMetroTheatreArts, “Ebrahimzadeh is a compelling Katurian, crafting a character who is disarmingly down to earth while flashing deep seated neuroses leading back to his parents’ horrific abuses.”

*Two Hours Traffic, “The ensemble is truly excellent, rising to the challenge of McDonagh’s dialogue and the plot’s dark twists and turns.  Ebrahimzadeh in particular is absolutely mesmerizing, from an affable charm in the first act to a haunting desperation as his situation takes an abrupt turn in Act II.”

Maboud Ebrahimzadeh as Katurian Katurian

Jim Jorgensen, Maboud Ebrahimzadeh, and Bradley Foster Smith

Maboud Ebrahimzadeh and James Konicek

James Konicek and Maboud Ebrahimzadeh

James Konicek and Maboud Ebrahimzadeh

Maboud Ebrahimzadeh and James Konicek

Maboud Ebrahimzadeh and James Konicek

Maboud Ebrahimzadeh as Katurian Katurian

Maboud Ebrahimzadeh as Katurian Katurian