Diana Simonzadeh

I had the pleasure of being a player in this feature film that’s based on a true story.  Here’s the current schedule and info on the film including numerous showings across the country this Father’s Day Weekend and beyond!  http://bit.ly/11Kfsxn

Gene Siskel Film Center showings:  http://www.siskelfilmcenter.org/waterwalk

My actor’s resume can be found on IMDB, Now Casting, and Actors Access. 

“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               

Diana Simonzadeh - AEA

“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

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

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

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

Homebody/Kabul at Steppenwolf Theatre

“The Afghan wife played powerfully (in several languages), Diana Simonzadeh steals several scenes.” 

Diana with Homebody/Kabul director, Frank Galati

“The cast projects just the right amount of eye-rolling, gum-popping, streetwise cool.  Diana Simonzadeh is the perfect Roxie Hart, a petite fireball of grit, moxie, and misplaced idealism.” - Lynn Voedisch

“Her rival is newcomer Roxie Hart (Diana Simonzadeh) who quickly takes over center stage.  She displays her hoofing talents in “Tap Dance” and her comedic talents as the dummy to her ventriloquist lawyer.”

“Moreover, Diana Simonzadeh and Martin Aistrope are quite dexterous with the puppets used to portray the little princes Richard and Edward, and Simonzadeh’s narration of the princes’ death (delivered over the bloody puppets) oddly is the most moving scene in the play.”  Cal Fuller - Windy City Times

“The rest of the cast is so splendid that it does them all disservice to single out any one for praise.  However, Diana Simonzadeh and Martin Aistrope’s contributions can’t be overlooked.  The versatility of the couple is utilized in the roles of stoogish attendants to a dead king, inept murderers, citizens on the street and even, via marionettes, as the two young sons of Edward 1V.” Myrna Petlicki - Skyline

“Matching …’s comic enthusiasm is Diana Simonzadeh as Sganarelle’s contemptuous wife, Martine.  Simonzadeh bites into the material with relish and turns in a highly comically portrayal.  The pair’s opening marital battle of the sexes proves to be one of the show’s energetic highlights.” Fred Nuccio - Skyline

Diana Simonzadeh (top left) in Cole Porter in Revue

Diana in THE GOOD WAR by Studs Terkel

“The cast is strong and there are notable performances from …, and Diana Simonzadeh.” - THE GOOD WAR by Studs Terkel

“The endlessly versatile cast features… and Diana Simonzadeh.  They unobtrusively transform themselves into March Hares, decks of cards, the King and Queen as one body, as well as serve as agile puppeteers.” Lucia Mauro - Sun Times

Diana in West Side Story

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.

I’m a featured player in Scrooge & Marley, an independent movie coming to theaters November 2012!  Red Carpet VIP Gala and Premiere at the Music Box Theatre November 29, 2012.  Daily Herald has listed Scrooge & Marley as one of this season’s most anticipated films!

Scrooge & Marley (2012) 

I’m a supporting/featured player in 4 independent feature films… two are currently playing in theaters Qwerty (2012) and Waterwalk (2012) ; Between Western and California (2012) is on tour ; and Scrooge&Marley (2012) will premiere in theaters, Christmas of this year!

Tweets by @dianasimonzadeh

Photo by Lori Sapio 

 Casting Networks Resume