A talented performer with multiple theatrical abilities returns to Fort Lauderdale this week to direct the Empire Stage and ArtBuzz Theatrics’ powerful production of David Mamet’s award-winning drama, Glengarry Glen Ross, opening Feb. 7 at the North Flagler Drive performance center.
Actor/director/producer/voice-over artist Amir Darvish will helm Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize-winning production at the popular Fort Lauderdale venue.
Darvish, a member of SAG-AFTRA and the Actor’s Equity Association, has appeared in numerous television programs, films and theatrical productions in New York and across the country, and is the co-founder, creator and producer of his own theatrical troupe.
The multi-talented artist has portrayed a variety of characters – from his award-winning Off-Broadway turn as Freddie Mercury, late lead singer for the rock group, Queen, in Mercury: The Afterlife and Times of a Rock God, to featured roles in such films as “Charlie Wilson’s War,” “Month to Month,” “Love” and “Magical.”

Darvish was also featured on television shows: “Madam Secretary,” “The Blacklist” and Michael J. Fox’s “Spin City,” among others. He also appeared on episodes of “Law and Order” and “Law and Order Special Victims Unit.”
A Boston native who majored in theater and psychology and minored in journalism at Brandeis University, he began to develop his professional acting career at regional theaters in and around the Bay State’s capital. After several years of establishing himself in the profession, he moved to New York City where he “worked endlessly” for more than 20 years.
He now resides in the Big Apple and Florida, “traveling to where the work is. I have agents in New York and Florida. Everything is accessible.”
Now, the versatile 50-year-old has added voice-over work and commercials to his TV, screen and stage credits.
He joined Cake Productions – “a theater group that says something” — as an artistic associate in the early 2000s, and around 2012, co-founded his own company, Five on a Match, and also produces for the diverse group of artists who create original theater and film that tell stories of the human connections that people make. Besides Darvish, members of the ensemble include Matthew Cohn, Meg MacCary, Enormvs Muñoz and Jen Taher.
Glengarry Glen Ross will be Darvish’s third directorial venture at Empire Stage. His previous projects were the well-reviewed, award-winning Art (by Yasmina Reza) and Mike Bartlett’s stage piece, Cock.
“I was drawn to directing Glengarry Glen Ross because of its exploration of corporate and personal greed, cutthroat business practices, and, of course, David Mamet’s razor-sharp dialogue,” Darvish said.
“What fascinated me most was the chance to dive into the deeper layers of ambition, desperation and the ethical dilemmas people face — the relentless drive to succeed at any cost. In today’s cultural and political climate, these themes feel more relevant than ever.”
Based on Mamet’s own experience working in a real estate agency, the play depicts two days in the lives of four desperate Chicago real estate agents who are prepared to engage in any number of unethical, illegal acts — from lies and flattery to bribery, threats, intimidation and burglary — to sell real estate to unwitting prospective buyers.
Whoever sells the most wins a car; whoever sells the least is out of a job – a ruthless environment where each character will do anything to come out on top.
Darvish said he discovered Empire Stage “through my research. They seemed to share my aesthetic.” He also met with David Gordon, Empire’s artistic director, and decided to lend a hand by directing.
As he assumes his third directorial task at Empire, Darvish said he wants “people to go back to the theater, enjoy it and want to be there.”
At Empire Stage, Darvish will work with a cast that includes Michael Small as Shelley Levine, Matthew Schenk as John Williamson, Eric Purcell as Dave Moss, Harry Redlich as George Aaronow, David R. Gordon as Richard Roma, Michael Vadnal as James Lingk and Bob Sharkey as Baylen.
Preston Bircher will serve as the production’s lighting designer and David Hart will design the sound. Set and costume design is by Larry Buzzeo, who will also serve as stage manager. Glengarry Glen Ross will run from Feb. 7 through Feb. 23 at Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Drive in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are $40 and may be purchased online at https://empirestage.com/ or by calling 954-678-1496. Performances are scheduled Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m.