‘Andy Warhol in Iran’ Continues Previews at City Theater; The Other Art Festival on Walnut Street (Sun., 4/21/24)

ANDY WARHOL IN IRAN by Brent Askari. City Theatre. Through May 12.

Jeffrey Emerson portrays Andy Warhol in City Theatre’s ‘Andy Warhol in Iran’ which is based on a true story.

1) Internationally famous for his silkscreen portraits of Chairman Mao, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Ntombi Twala of Swaziland and Vladimir Lenin, among other icons of world politics, Andy Warhol actually visited Tehran in 1976. Accompanied by Bob Colacello, editor of Warhol’s Interview magazine, he was summoned by the Iranian Ambassador to the United States to take a Polaroid “sketch” of the Shah’s wife, Empress Farah Diba Pahlavi. Brent Askari’s play about the artist’s visit, however, takes very purposeful liberties in staging the briefly historic event that preceded the Iranian Revolution just three years later.  In Askari’s two-character, one-hotel-room drama, Warhol is confronted by a young revolutionary who intends to entrap the pop icon in a scheme to foil the Shah’s political indifferences. Of course, this isn’t a mere kidnapping caper; the plot sets up a platform on which is illustrated (both visually and verbally) a worldly debate on the relevance of artistic freedom, social aims, geopolitical wealth and the rights of the populace. Of several 2023 productions, ChicagoTheatreReview.com called it “a taut tale of suspense,” and WTTW, Chicago’s NPR affiliate, said “If you see only one play this season…,” while the Berkshire Valley Advocate exclaimed Andy Warhol in Iran “ is “a study in contrasts with life-and-death stakes.” 7 p.m. At City Theatre, 1300 Bingham Street, South Side. (C.P.O.)

April is a great month for strolling the tree lined streets of Shadyside and enjoying the fine arts and crafts during the Art Festival on Walnut. (Photo: Rick Handler)

2) Today is the second day for The Other Art Festival on Walnut, the sister festival to the very popular August one in Shadyside. There will be fine art, crafts, photography, sculpture, and more on display. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Share on Social Media