*Press release* - World Premiere at Boise Contemporary Theater this spring

Based on true events: 1953. Tehran. Poolside. For the first time in the world, Boise Contemporary Theater produces a new comedy about how the grandson of Teddy Roosevelt orchestrated the coup that overthrew the Prime Minister and installed the last Shah of Iran. Plus, there's a pool on stage...that talks. Through special effects (BCT hired a magic consultant) and comedic timing, AJAX explores how egos and cultural customs were exploited for economic benefit. AJAX by Habib Yazdi, directed by Kareem Fahmy, previews Wednesday, April 22, and runs through Saturday, May 9, 2026.

BCT’s 25|26 Season closer offers an opportunity to look back at a moment in history, which, as the playwright Habib Yazdi puts it, “offers context, and I think context is everything when we're thinking about history and politics. And I think it's important to fully examine where context might begin.” But why tell the story of a coup as a comedy? Yazdi explains, “I think comedy really gets us in a mode where we're disarmed and so we're ready to engage with another sort of point of view or culture, and I really love that about comedy.”

BCT’s Producing Artistic Director Benjamin Burdick added, “This world premiere has been nearly two years in the making. Presented at our 2024 BIPOC Playwrights Festival, it was clearly an audience favorite, as it was with the BCT staff and me. It is no small thing for a playwright to allow a theater to do the very first iteration of their play. We were thrilled when Habib agreed to have the world premiere at BCT. I am equally thrilled to bring this brilliant, funny, and wholly original play to the community.”

AJAX at Boise Contemporary Theater: Cast, Production

Meet the cast:

• Amin El Gamal (Shah)

• Ben Farha (Pool)

• Shayan Hooshmand (Kambiz)

• Andy Ingalls (Kermit)

• Gordon Reinhart (Loy)

Production and Design team

• Kareem Fahmy (Director)

• Hayden Pedersen (Assistant Director)

• Elena Maddy (Stage Manager)

• Sophie Ventresco (Assistant Stage Manager)

• Alexander Woodward (Scenic Designer)

• Lily Kennedy (Props Designer)

• Chanté Thornton Hamann (Costume Designer)

• Omar Madkour (Lighting Designer)

• Caroline Eng (Sound Designer)

• Steve Cuiffo (Magic Consultant)

• Nicholas Jules Hewitt (Technical Director)

• Amandalynn Lovewell (Scenic Charge)

• Matthew Chilcoat (Main Electrician)

• Brayden Buckley (Sound Engineer/Board Operator)

• Chris Pedersen (Head Carpenter)

• Dacia Murdoch (Light Board Operator)

Performance dates for AJAX at Boise Contemporary Theater

Performances run Wednesday through Saturday for three weeks, with evening performances starting at 7 PM and Saturday matinees at 2 PM, from Wednesday, April 22 to Saturday, May 9, 2026. Check out Boise Contemporary Theater for more info.

Previews: Wed, April 22 – Fri, April 24, 2026 – All seats only $28.

Pay What You Want Nights: First preview, 7 PM April 22, and last Wednesday, May 6, 7 PM. Pay what you want is available at the door only (not online). Accepting cash and cards (cards incur a small transaction fee).

Opening Night: 7 PM Saturday, April 25. Tickets to opening night include the exclusive after-party! Enhance your experience with a Pre-Fixe Dinner at Avery Bar + Brasserie for $80 per guest (see website to RSVP).

Educators’ Night: 7 PM Wednesday, April 29. Any school district employee with a valid school I.D. may buy one ticket at 50% off through our box office with code EDUNIGHT26. Show school I.D. at the door. (Not just for teachers, but any school district employee with a school I.D.).

Post-Show Convos: 2 PM Saturday, May 2, & 7 PM Friday, May 8. Stay after the performance to talk with actors and other theater makers.

First Thursday Happy Hour: 5:30-6:30 PM, Thursday, May 7. Only at our box office during this happy hour event, get 20% off tickets to any regular performance of this play (excluding closing night). Join us for discounts on tap beers from Lost Grove and Woodland Empire, as well as wines generously provided by Hayden Beverage.

Brunches Before BCT: Saturday, May 2 & 9, Noon-1:30 pm. Pre-Fixe Brunch at Avery Bar + Brasserie for $35 per guest (see website to RSVP).

Performances run Wednesday through Saturday for three weeks, with evening performances starting at 7 PM and Saturday matinees at 2 PM, from Wednesday, April 22 to Saturday, May 9, 2026.