THE NORTH POOL

Written by Rajiv Joseph
Directed by Giovanna Sardelli
With Babak Tafti, Stephen Barker Turner

In this riveting psychological thriller, a high school vice principal and a Middle Eastern-born transfer student engage in a politically and emotionally charged game of cat and mouse, with dangerous consequences. A powerful new play from Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph, author of BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO, and recipient of The Vineyard’s Paula Vogel Playwriting Award.

Stephen Barker Turner and Babak Tafti in THE NORTH POOL. Photo by Carol Rosegg.
Stephen Barker Turner and Babak Tafti in THE NORTH POOL. Photo by Carol Rosegg.
Babak Tafti and Stephen Barker Turner in THE NORTH POOL. Photo by Carol Rosegg.
Stephen Barker Turner and Babak Tafti in THE NORTH POOL. Photo by Carol Rosegg.
Stephen Barker Turner and Babak Tafti in THE NORTH POOL. Photo by Carol Rosegg.
Stephen Barker Turner and Babak Tafti in THE NORTH POOL. Photo by Carol Rosegg.
Babak Tafti and Stephen Barker Turner in THE NORTH POOL. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Artists

Babak Tafti

(Khadim Asmaan) BABAK TAFTI is making both his Vineyard and Off-Broadway debut with THE NORTH POOL. Regional credits include SCORCHED (ACT), BLOOD AND GIFTS (La Jolla Playhouse), and the world premiere of THE NORTH POOL at Barrington Stage. Television credits include “Blue Bloods,” “Crash.” He is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama.

Reviews

The North Pool Review Quotes

“ENGROSSING! SPLENDID AND MOVING.

Babak Tafti makes an auspicious New York stage debut as Khadim. Giovanna Sardelli has helmed this one not by steadily increasing the temperature but more like building a roller coaster, with sharp spikes of tension.”

– Mark Kennedy, Associated Press

“Both Turner and Tafti give intense performances.

Joseph’s ear for dialogue is well-tuned”

– Keith Staskiewicz, Entertainment Weekly

“INTENSE AND TIMELY! A NUCLEAR STANDOFF!

 Thanks to Giovanna Sardelli’s deft and unobtrusive direction, both actors match each other point-for-point and never miss a beat.”
– Zachary Stewart, TheaterMania

“GENIUS!

A masterful playwright, Joseph has captured intrigue with brevity. The North Pool will keep you talking and thinking for a long time, as this play and its timely themes continue to reemerge all around you.”
– Zachary Stewart, TheaterMania

“Babak Tafti masterfully dances through Khadim’s evolution.
Stephen Barker Turner disappears inside the subtle physicality of Danielson”

– Suzy Evans, Backstage

“REMARKABLY ENTICING AND SATISFYING!

As directed by Giovanna Sardelli, The North Pool carries the viewer from a disarmingly casual beginning to an involving, edge-of-your-seat encounter.”

– Diana Barth, The Epoch Times