May 22-June 15, 2025
Island City Stage | www.IslandCityStage.org
By Denny Patterson
A dynamic force in the world of performance, Amir Darvish is making his Island City Stage debut this spring to take on one of his most emotionally complex roles yet. The seasoned actor, director, and producer – whose credits span everything from Off-Broadway acclaim to network television dramas – will star in the South Florida venue’s production of The Dying Gaul, Craig Lucas’s chilling psychological drama about grief, identity, and seduction.
Originally from Boston and an alum from Brandeis University, Darvish is no stranger to bold, emotionally charged roles. His work is marked by range, depth, and a magnetic intensity, and he is excited to bring that same passion to the intimate space of Island City Stage, where the line between performer and audience often feels breathlessly thin.
The Dying Gaul will run May 22-June 15, 2025, and OutClique recently sat down with Darvish to talk more about the production, how he plans to approach the role of Jeffrey, and more.
Denny Patterson: Amir, how excited are you to perform in Island City Stage’s production of The Dying Gaul?
Amir Darvish: I am very, very excited. It’s about time that Island City Stage and I finally got together for a project that was a good fit for both of us.
Denny Patterson: As this marks your first production with Island City Stage, what are you looking forward to the most?
Amir Darvish: I know Andy Rogow pretty well. We met when I first moved here from New York, and we’ve been discussing things that we could possibly work on together. When I found out this show was going to be a part of their season, I read the script, and it just seemed like a really, really good fit. So, I’m excited to work with the cast, creative team, and crew that is assembled with The Dying Gaul.
Denny Patterson: And as an actor, what are you hoping to personally take away from this experience?
Amir Darvish: I hope to establish bonds between Island City Stage, other performers here, and our director, but also, I feel like I have a lot to bring to the table with the experiences that I’ve had in New York. I love the work that Island City Stage does, and Andy knows that. This season is right up my alley of what I would love for audiences to see. So, my goal is to try and collaborate more, as well as put some great work out there in the South Florida community that is different from what else is going on here.
Denny Patterson: Without giving too much away, what can we expect from The Dying Gaul?
Amir Darvish: That’s a great question. One of the reasons why I was attracted to the piece, and this generally tends to be my type of work, I love to perform, direct, or produce pieces that make the audience think. You come in there and have a good time, but simultaneously, you are affected. You are somehow moved, and hopefully, what you see and what goes on affects you in a certain way. That you’re able to leave the theater, talk about it, and it stays with you. That’s what I’m looking forward to achieving with this piece and all the work that I do. The Dying Gaul is a bit heavy since it centers on themes around betrayal, deception, the masks we wear, what we tell people, and what we choose to tell others, but there’s a lot of wonderful, beautiful layers and relationships. Relationships are key for me in any piece, and the characters have incredible ties between one another.
Denny Patterson: You play Jeffrey. What do you want to specifically bring to this character?
Amir Darvish: Jeffrey is very complicated, and at first glance, he can be a real jerk. He cheats on his wife and plays games, but ultimately, my goal with any character that has all these kinds of flaws is bring their humanity to life and have the audience see why this character might make the decisions that they do. Maybe even feel a bit sorry for him. That’s my goal. He’s going to be challenging, but he definitely needs to be multifaceted. There’s a lot of different angles that make up who he is.
Denny Patterson: Is there a part of this show that is your absolute favorite?
Amir Darvish: The opening scene, 100 percent. When Jeffrey and Robert meet to discuss their script, the chemistry is off the charts, and that’s what starts the snowball.
Denny Patterson: Would you say The Dying Gaul is timely or relevant in today’s culture?
Amir Darvish: Absolutely. Although grieving for loved ones who died from HIV/AIDS is not as relevant as it was when this was written in the 1990s, the themes of betrayal, relationships, the masks that we put up, and what we hide from our loved ones is all still very much there.
Denny Patterson: As you mentioned, you lived and worked in New York, and you’ve directed and produced in addition to acting. Has this always been your passion?
Amir Darvish: Yes, I got bitten by the acting bug by my fourth grade school teacher. She cast me in almost every single show when I was in grade school, and then subsequently, I went on to a performing arts program in high school. It’s something that’s a part of me.
Denny Patterson: What are some future goals you hope to accomplish with your career?
Amir Darvish: Actually, I’m in the process of working on a major goal. When I left New York, I began my own production company, and I was producing plays. I also created a play that premiered Off-Broadway, then it went to San Francisco, and it did very well. Then I wanted to take my work into more of the directing aspect, which is what I’ve done since coming to South Florida. I directed Art by Yasmina Reza at Empire Stage, Cock by Michael Bartlett, and most recently, Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet. What I’m hoping to do is have more creative control over what I want to put out there, what I want to be in, what I want people to see, and what I want to say. That’s my goal in coming down here and having more opportunities and accessibility. I love New York and I may not be able to get on Madam Secretary, NYPD Blue, or Law & Order again, but there are other things I want to do and say.
Denny Patterson: Before we wrap up, are there any other upcoming projects or anything else you’d like to mention or plug?
Amir Darvish: No, not at this time. I take everything as it comes. There are a lot of things in the pipeline, but you never know what’s going to happen, but I am looking forward to bringing much more theater to South Florida and Wilton Manors, and doing it my way.
For more information and to purchase tickets for The Dying Gaul, visit IslandCityStage.org. Stay up-to-date and connect with Darvish by following him on Facebook.
