“Sanam Laila Hashemi (Elham) gives a masterclass in believability. Ms. Hashemi’s portrayal breeds empathy on a rich level and her quick navigation of both ‘languages’ is enviable.”
- Behind the Curtain Cincy
“It is well worth witnessing Dina Soltan and Sanam Laila Hashemi spar expertly as the sisters.”
- DC Metro Theater Arts
“Sanam Laila Hashemi is equally forceful as the second woman…”
- DC Metro Theater Arts
“ … Sanam Laila Hashemi as her sister provide[s] [a] deft performance.”
- The Westfield News
“Hashemi is a revelation in scene after scene. Initially, she conceals Gamila’s anger, love, cynicism, and hope just below the steely surface of her modest Muslim ideal. She then removes Gamila’s emotional armor, piece by piece, resulting in a stirring performance that hints at an even higher ceiling for this young actress.”
- DC Theatre Scene
“As Gamila, Hashemi manages to be both a formidable and sympathetic rival.”
- Washington City Paper
“ …a very good Sanam Laila Hashemi…”
- The Washington Post
“Sanam Hashemi makes a strong impression as the intelligent and proper Gamila…”
- MD Theatre Guide
“There are some dazzling performances in Pilgrims, all executed with perfect timing. One of the funniest of these is the scene in which Gamila, played with utter propriety by Sanam Laila Hashemi, returns unexpectedly, and finds a naked woman (an ebullient Rachel Felstein) in her fiancé’s bed.”
- DC Metro Theater Arts
“Three actors (Sanam Laila Hashemi, Hugh Hysell and Kevin Minor) transform from one letter writer to the next, as the anxious readers of Strayed’s column… the three actors seamlessly cross gender, age and race as they pour their heart out to Sugar…”
- Onstage Colorado
"...Hashemi has one beautiful scene that is one of the truest and most honest performances of the year. I truly hope that she will seek out newer challenges and become a regular contributor to the area’s vibrant theatrical movement.”
-NPR Community Idea Stations
“The all-adult cast is uniformly forceful, embodying reflections of their youth with intense resolve.”