Koan Brothers
Clown, Comedy, Performance Art, Solo Show, Theater
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This FORIEGNER hopes his genius performance gets him naturalized—or deported.
A dizzying solo that simultaneously explains—and refuses to explain—Sohrab Haghverdi's experience as an Iranian asylum seeker. A paradoxical, autobiographical, anti-identity, anti-comedy clown show inspired by Andy Kaufman’s hijinks and Sufi mystic Rumi's call to kill yourself (بمیرید).
“An inventive and often outrageous piece of clowning about art, immigration, and identity which makes the border tangible in maybe the most disgusting possible way. Unconventional. Undismissable. Unforgettable.” — Plays Unpleasant
FORIEGNER is co-created by Koan Brothers (Sohrab Haghverdi, Benjamin Rosenthal, Mason Rosenthal). The show was the recipient of the Al-Bustan Award for SWANA Artists and The Ed Tyler Fringe Touring Fund.
FORIEGNER was presented at the Denver Fringe Festival and at the prestigious Summerhall as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
PWYC Options $5+
Venue: Asian Arts Initiative Black Box Theater 
September 11, 2026 8.30pm
1219 Vine Street
General Admission: $25
PWYC Options
September 20, 2026 6.15pm
1219 Vine Street
General Admission: $25
PWYC Options
September 22, 2026 7.00pm
1219 Vine Street
General Admission: $25
PWYC Options
About the Artist
SOHRAB HAGHVERDI is an only child from Iran who has specialized in being a foreigner in America. He schemes, performs, and thinks creatively to perfectly fit in this new American environment. He is an absurdist performer/writer and Lifestyle Clown. He has performed in devised works at the Public Theater, with Pig Iron Theatre Company, and has collaborated with companies like Lighting Rod Special and Swim Pony. www.sohrabh.com
MASON ROSENTHAL is a founding member of the award-winning Lightning Rod Special. LRS's recent work includes “Lions” (Cannonball 2025), "Nosejob" (Curated Philadelphia Fringe 2024), "The Appointment" (NYT' "Best Theater of 2019") and "Underground Railroad Game" (2016 Obie Award). Mason is a 2026 Creative Capital Awardee and a recipient of Princeton and The Civilians "Next Forever" Commission. He has created nearly 100 original performances through research and experimentation. Recent: “The Fluxus Brothers Present: Good Art Bad Art, ” a theatrical demonstration featuring scores from the historic Fluxus art movement of the 1960s alongside Fluxus-inspired originals (Cannonball 2025, PhysFestNYC 2025); “Fascist Groove, ” an urgent punk-concert-lecture on life in the UK from 1979–1989 with original songs and archival video (Cannonball 2025, Le Mondo 2026); "Super Compassionate, " a performance art meditation in which three entirely naked Trumps stumble through sacred and profane gags (The Deep End 2025). www.masonmake.show
BENJAMIN ROSENTHAL is a performance and visual artist, credit card churner and professional gambler whose recent work "The Self Portrait Series" was presented clandestinely in the rooms of Hilton Hotels, at The University of Texas (supported by Austin Arts Council), and in NYC’s Exponential Festival. He is a part of the famous performance art duo Ben and Ben's Brother. benandbrother.horse
- Sohrab HaghverdiPerformer & Co-Writerhaghverdi2@gmail.com
- Benjamin RosenthalCo-Writer & Co-DirectorBenjamin.Lee.Rosenthal@gmail.com
- Mason RosenthalCo-Writer & Co-Directormason.rosenthal@gmail.com
- Clare WislarScenic and Props Designerclareelizabeth395@gmail.com
- Matt O'HareSound and Video Designerbluelimbs@gmail.com
Accessibility & Content Considerations
Contact the Fringe Festival Box Office for up to date accessibility information.
This event is appropriate for ages 18+
Nudity
Adult Language
Covid-19 Safety policy
This event does not require masks to be worn
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(at Race St.)
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Directions
Tickets: 215.413.1318
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