Diana Simonzadeh

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Adapted for the stage by Ismail Khalidi and Naomi Wallace from the novel of the same name by Sinan Antoon. Directed by Mark Brokaw. I was honored to play the role of Jawad's mother as well as the Guard in the 43rd Humana Festival of New American Plays at Actors Theatre in early 2019..

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From my YouTube channel, a short reel of my film and television work

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At the 43rd Annual 2011 Equity Jeff Awards.  I was receiving the Jeff Award for Best Supporting Actress in Wajdi Mouawad's highly acclaimed and Jeff Nominated play, SCORCHED performed at Silk Road Rising!  In Scorched I played the old incarnation of the tragic heroine, Nawal Marwan as well as the role of Nazira. Here are the Jeff Award Photos taken from the evening of the event. Photos courtesy of photographer, Johnny Knight.  #jeffawards

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Snapshot of my appearance on NBC Chicago Fire.  Leaders Lead, Season 1 Episode 22. 

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My reviews from the Equity Jeff Award nominated, SCORCHED by Wajdi Mouawad at Chicago's Silk Road Theatre

"That mother, whose name is Nawal, is played by three different women - ..., most movingly, Diana Simonzadeh, who'll get you right where you're lucky to live."  

 Chris Jones - Chicago Tribune

"Diana Simonzadeh is breathtaking as Old Nawal, boldly traversing an emotional landscape that borders on asking too much of an actor. She brings a true grace to her performance that is enthralling...Director Dale Heinen puts together a solid cast with a few performances that are nothing short of incredible."  

 Venus Zarris - Chicago Stage Review

"Under the strong direction of Dale Heinen, the three actresses who portray Nawal - particularly the altogether riveting Simonzadeh - are superb."  

 Hedy Weiss - Chicago Sun Times

"...the glorious Diana Simonzadeh. All three of these women shine in bringing this character to life, but be prepared, you might want to bring a tissue or two for the final scenes played to perfection by Ms Simonzadeh."  

 Alan Bresloff - Around the Town Chicago

"Diana Simonzadeh, as their mother in her old age, delivering a pivotal monologue so full of hurt and grieving, your heart seems to stop."  

 Francis Sadac - From the Ledge

"As theatre, Scorched contains several strong performances. Diana Simonzadeh as Old Nawal,... were particularly effective."         

 Tom Williams - Chicago Critic

"And the superb Chicago premiere production, directed by Dale Heinen, succeeds completely. The first-rate ensemble totally invest themselves in their multiple roles."  

 Albert Williams - Chicago Reader

"Silk Road’s Chicago premiere production, well directed by Dale Heinen and marvelously acted by a cast led by Diana Simonzadeh, impressively balanced the painful naturalism and the diaphanous memory play that were meticulously linked in Mouwad’s masterful writing."  

 http://www.fromtheledge.com/theater/2010s-wondrous-ten

"More SCORCHED reviews!"  

 Theatre in Chicago

As Nawal Marwan in Scorched Photo by Michael Brosilow

As Old Nawal Marwan Photo by Michael Brosilow

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Diana as Inanna.  Photo from My Name is Inanna performed as an invited staged reading.  This was the first of two, powerful new one act plays My Name is Inanna and Medea Was Born in Faluja performed as staged readings at Silk Road Rising Theatre.

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My reviews from RETURN TO HAIFA by M.E.H. Lewis at Next Theatre

Diana Simonzadeh turns in a nuanced, heart-wrenching performance as guilt-ridden Safiyeh. Thoughtfully staged by Jason Southerland, this Next Theatre production is sure to stir opinions and emotions. --Marissa Oberlander

http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/Event?oid=1560806

Diana Simonzadeh as Safiyeh does some of the best on stage aging I have ever seen, both physically and emotionally. She goes from a playful, happy young mother to a wise, angry, regretful old woman without ever losing a bit of integrity or honesty.

 http://chicagotheaterblog.com/2010/02/15/return-to-haifa/

...and Diana Simonzadeh rendered emotionally deep and honest performances that you’ll not soon forget. Lewis’ writing is tight, accurate and explosive. Return to Haifa is a most worthy world premiere.

http://chicagocritic.com/return-to-haifa/

Safiyeh (brilliantly played by Diana Simonzadeh)

Alan Bresloff - Steadstyle Chicago

Diana Simonzadeh in Return to Haifa at Next Theatre

Photo by Michael Brosilow

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Diana as Inanna.  Photo from My Name is Inanna performed as an invited staged reading.  This was the first of two, powerful new one act plays My Name is Inanna and Medea Was Born in Faluja performed as staged readings at Silk Road Rising Theatre.

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Diana Simonzadeh as older Alice (also Alice's mother earlier in play) in Night Over Erzinga written by Adriana Sevahn Nichols.  The World Premiere is currently playing at Silk Road Rising through November 11, 2012.  Photo by Michael Brosilow.

My reviews for Night Over Erzinga!

"Playing her mother (as each character) is the enchanting Diana Simonzadeh, who is both captivating and touching as the ghostly characters... - Alan Bresloff Around the Town Chicago                                         http://www.aroundthetownchicago.com/theatre-reviews/night-over-erzinga/

"The always stunning Diana Simonzadeh who will make you weep for the love of your own mother with her portrayal as the mortal (and ghostly) matriarchs." - Michael Roberts Oct 14, 2012.                                           http://showbizchicago.com/review-silk-road-risings-night-over-erzinga/

"A haunting performance is given by Diana Simonzadeh first as Alice's wise mother, then later as the older Alice after years of institutionalization.  http://www.talkinbroadway.com/regional/chicago/ch415.html

"With big expressive eyes and often saying nothing, Diana Simonzadeh (older Alice) haunts the stage.  Simonzadeh perfectly illustrates a woman trapped in her own pain and hope." - Katy Walsh Chicago Theatre Beat   http://chicagotheaterbeat.com/2012/10/15/review-night-over-erzinga-silk-road-rising/#review 

"... and Diana Simonzadeh manage to be both astonishingly familiar and exotically unique." - Lawrence Bommer Oct 14, 2012      http://www.stageandcinema.com/2012/10/14/night-over-erzinga/

"Portes has assembled a terrific ensemble" - Kerri Reid Chicago Tribune    http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/theaterloop/ct-ent-1018-erzinga-review-20121017,0,7059140.story

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Diana as Inanna.  Photo from My Name is Inanna performed as an invited staged reading.  This was the first of two, powerful new one act plays My Name is Inanna and Medea Was Born in Faluja performed as staged readings at Silk Road Rising Theatre.

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Jay Handelman's (Herald Tribune) top picks for the 2008-2009 most memorable shows and performances include...

Jay Handelman’s (Herald Tribune) picks for the most memorable shows and performances from the 2008-2009 theater season - Diana Simonzadeh as Samira, in Jason Wells' award winning, PERFECT MENDACITY at Asolo Repertory

Photo courtesy of Frank Atura

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My reviews from PERFECT MENDACITY, by Jason Wells at Asolo Repertory in Sarasota, Fl.

In her Asolo debut, Simonzadeh is simultaneously alluring, dismissive, and loving.

Jay Handelman - Herald-Tribune

"... Will Samira, who has a secret or two of her own, somehow persuade Walter to 'fess up in order to make peace with his better self?..."  

Kay Kipling - Sarasota Magazine

Telling the Truth

Jay Handelman - Herald Tribune

  photo courtesy of Frank Atura

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In January 2002, I adopted a beautiful and rambunctious 10-month-old rottweiler puppy from Chicago Canine Rescue. She was days away from being put down. Reflecting back over the years, because she was my first dog I never imagined the impact she would have on me and just how much she would enrich my life. In November 2011, just 4 months before her 11th birthday, I was forced to make one of the most difficult and agonizing decisions of my life... to take her to her vet and have them euthanize her because of osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer common in larger breeds. Sasha loved life and was a fighter but the cancer had taken over and she had pretty much lost the use of her front leg and was unable to walk at the end. I came across some random short videos I had taken of her during our walks and edited and pieced them together to create this short film. This is a glimpse of a typical WALK in a day of our life together from the moment we left our door to the moment we returned (with some seasonal changes :) I wanted to honor Sasha's life with a memory gift and to celebrate the unconditional love between pets and the humans they adopt! This is "SASHA'S WALK". Music by Ben Woods. The video's shaky because of Sasha pulling but gets better ;-)

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  "Risk more than others think is safe.  Care more than others think is wise.  Dream more than others think is practical.  Expect more than others think is possible." - Cadet Maxim               

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Diana Simonzadeh in short film, Yesterday She Was Here (Ephemeral Resurrection).

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  Diana as Madame Helena in Yesterday She Was Here (formerly Ephemeral Resurrection).  More info soon... Photo courtesy of Amy Kearney.

Diana as Madame Helena in Yesterday She Was Here (formerly Ephemeral Resurrection).  More info soon... Photo courtesy of Amy Kearney.

    Still from feature, Between Western and California (2012) directed by Nicholas Medina. Pictured are Diana Simonzadeh as Maria and Anthony DiNicola as the film's lead, Jacob.

Wrapped as Maria in Between Western and California (2012), a feature film directed by Nicholas Medina with the team of Black and Brown Ink.  Amazing shoot!!!  Also wrapped as Madame Helena in the indie short, Yesterday She Was Here (2012) written and directed by Michael Apostolidis (another great script), and recently wrapped on the the indie comedy feature, Dealing the Movie (2012).  In this one I played the role of Sr. Marianne, a nun who suffers from advanced glaucoma and smokes pot to ease her symptoms ;-)  Film was shot in Chicago and in LA.

Please visit my IMDB, Vimeo and Youtube pages for demos of my work in film and television.