When young Iranian Nassim Soleimanpour, who had been teaching set design at the University of Tehran, was summoned for compulsory military service, he declared himself a conscientious objector. In Iran under the harsh boot of the mullahs, that was not the wisest decision. Graced with plain dumb good luck, Soleimanpour was not imprisoned or tortured for his deeply held obstinacy. The authorities slapped him softly by rescinding his passport and therefore forbade him travel. Since his family were well-known writers in Iran, where poetry is revered, their social status may have saved his life. But in his confinement, he found his career.
9 best Houston plays and performances to stream and catch in April Emmy winner and film star
Laura Linney will take part in 4th Wall Theatre s virtual
White Rabbit Red Rabbit live series on April 24.
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions A year into remote theater and Houston performing arts companies have learned to get creative. Yes, we’re still streaming some dramatic and comic theater goodness, but April also offers a plethora of different performances modes from live actors on your front lawn to virtual conferencing with a semi-omnipotent nun. For some spring variety, we’ve also got some dramatic opera, dance and poetry on our must-see list. And if you manage to get through it all, be sure to check out this special “Thank You, Houston” message from the city’s Actors Equity Association (plus one, likely non-union, guinea pig).