O’Reilly Theater
March 10 – April 10
7 p.m., 8 p.m. & 2 p.m.
A Pulitzer Prize-winning play making its regional premiere at Pittsburgh Public Theater will leave audiences with plenty to talk about.
The first stage play penned by Pakistani-American novelist, screenwriter and actor Ayad Akhtar, the must-see Disgraced opens on March 10th for a one-month run at the downtown-based O’Reilly Theater.
After premiering in Chicago in 2014, the Tony and Obie Award-winning play went on to open on Broadway at the Lyceum.
Audiences will find themselves privy to a dinner party attended by four very different characters with extremely diverse backgrounds. There’s big-time Manhattan corporate lawyer Amir Kapoor (Fajer Kaisi), a Pakistani-American, and his Caucasian wife Emily (Lisa Velten Smith). Also in the play’s mix of strong characters is Amir’s nephew, Hussein (Justin Ahdoot), as well as African American attorney Jory (Nafeesa Monroe) and her Jewish husband, Isaac (Ryan McCarthy).
As the play’s sharp and relevant dialogue becomes more heated and tense, the characters explore complex issues such as racial and ethnic prejudices, faith and religion, Islamophobia, identity politics and more.
Dubbed a “combustible powder keg of identity politics,” the play also addresses deep-rooted perceptions about pride, family, intellectualism and modern society.
Directed by City Theatre Artistic Director Tracy Brigden, the timely play features production design by Anne Mundell (scenic), Robert C. T. Steele (costumes), Phil Monat (lighting) and Zach Moore (sound).
Born in NYC in 1970 and raised in Milwaukee, Akhtar is also author of the award-winning 2012 novel, American Dervish, which has been published in 25 languages worldwide.
Don’t miss the chance to explore the play’s themes, dialogue and characters in more depth at one of Pittsburgh Public Theater’s “post-show talkbacks” with the cast and staff on March 17, March 20, March 27 and April 5.
Looking for more events? Read our 12 Pittsburgh events not to miss in March feature.
