New play addresses religious oppression in Iran, debuts in Chicago in November

For Immediate Release: September 19, 2008
Jay Paul Deratany, Writer/Producer, 312.375.3574 jaypaul@haramiran.com
HaramIran.com
Two Iranian Teenage Boys sentenced for crimes against God
Permoveo Productions, presents the world premier of the play:
Haram Iran a play written by Jay Paul Deratany
At the Athenaeum Theater
Please Be Our Guest on Opening Night, Saturday, November 8th, at 8 p.m.

Chicago – Haram Iran, written by Jay Paul Deratany and Directed by David Zak, is based on the true story about the trial of two Iranian teenagers in Mashad, Iran in 2005.
Haram Iran tells the story of two boys coming of age, and struggling with their identities as Arab Iranians, and as typical teenagers longing to discover their place in the world. Ayaz Marhouni and Mahmoud Asgari, two fifteen year old boys who may have been experimenting with their sexuality-- like many teenagers do, however, they get caught in an innocent situation, publicly humiliated and tried in the Iranian legal system. The story follows the boys' passions--one for literature and the other for sports--and their friendship. The play takes the audience into the complexity of their relationship, and then the horrifying ordeal of being tried by an unforgiving Iranian legal system which misinterprets the Muslim law of Sharia.
The dates, names and many of the facts are true, however the trial scenes and much of the side story of the boys is fictional since it is not known exactly what occurred during the trial. What is known is that they were adolescents, who were tried and sentenced for "moral sins".
In Iran thousands of people, including children, are jailed or killed each year, some because they are women who have had pre-maritial sex, and others because they are considered to be homosexual.
Haram Iran is critical of Iranian politics and their very flawed legal system. This play does not, however critique or criticize Muslims, or the Islamic faith, which is a loving and peaceful religion. In fact, to the contrary, the writer draws the distinction between a loving faith and some of its misguided extremist followers.
Producer/writer Jay Paul Deratany has said "this play is about exposing the human rights violations being committed on a daily basis, therefore I will be donating a significant portion of the of the profits from this play to Amnesty International for the aid and assistance to Iranians who suffer from torture and injustice." So when you buy your ticket, remember that some of your ticket price will go to help those who are in desperate need of our care and love.

Opening Night
Thursday, November 8th at 8:00
Regular Performances are
November 6, 7 and 8 - 8:00 pm
November 9 - matinee 2:00 pm
November 13, 14, 15 - 8:00 p.m
November 16 - matinee 2:00 pm
November 20, 21, 22 - 8:00 pm
November 23 - matinee 2:00 pm
November 28, 29 - 8:00 pm
November 30 - matinee 2:00 pm
December 4, 5, 6 - 8:00 pm
December 7 - matinee 2:00 pm
$20 for Adults
$18 for Students & Seniors
Theater seats 60
Tickets are available through TicketMaster® at ticketmaster.com or by calling TicketMaster® at 312-559-1212, you will be able to guarantee your space and print your tickets online.

Tickets are also available at the Athenaeum Theater.
ATHENAEUM THEATER

2936 N. Southport
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 935-6860
athenaeumtheatre.com
info@athenaeumtheatre.com