Signature Theatre announces the cast and creative team for the play Selling Kabul, written by Sylvia Khoury (Power Strip, Against the Hillside). Selling Kabul is directed by Shadi Ghaheri (Rattlestick Theatre’s Glimpse, HERE’s Lucretia). Performances run February 21 – April 2, 2023 in Signature’s ARK Theatre. Tickets are available at SigTheatre.org.
In 2013, a sister secretly shelters her translator brother from an increasingly powerful Taliban while he awaits the ever-delayed arrival of a promised American visa. On the eve of his son’s birth, the walls begin to close in, threatening him, her and everyone they love in a heart-racing exposé with devastating echoes to the present day. Breathtaking and unpredictable through the final curtain, this unflinching exploration exposes the human toll of American withdrawal.
“Selling Kabul is a heart-racing Pulitzer Prize finalist that examines the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan with striking humanity. Sylvia Khoury has written an astounding play about the personal and political consequences of U.S. foreign policy decisions,” said Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner. “We are thrilled to present the Washington, D.C. area premiere of Sylvia Khoury’s important new play here at Signature.”
“While the war may be over for Americans, the conflict continues for Afghans impacted by the American withdrawal,” said Director Shadi Ghaheri. “Over the past twenty years, America has caused a human crisis in Afghanistan, and it is imperative that we see the humanity of the people affected. Selling Kabul is a story about the dreams and fears of four Afghans trying to survive in these complicated and unjust circumstances and asks you to see these individuals and their lives in full. It is my hope that within the specificity of this story, we can think of the human rights that ought to be honored for all individual Afghans!”
The cast for Selling Kabul includes Mazin Akar (Broadway’s The Kite Runner, Theatre Row’s Banned) as Taroon, Neagheen Homaifar (Apple TV’s Houston, Peacock’s Killing It) as Leyla, Yousof Sultani (Arena Stage’s A Thousand Splendid Suns, Woolly Mammoth’s This Is Who I Am) as Jawid, and Awesta Zarif (Seattle Rep’s Selling Kabul, Geva Theatre Center’s Jane Eyre) as Afiya. Raghad Almakhlouf (The Welder’s In This Hope – A Pericles Project) and Ramtin Vaziri (Constellation Theatre Company’s The White Snake) are understudies.
The creative team for Selling Kabul includes Scenic Design by Tony Cisek (Signature’s The Color Purple, New York Theatre Workshop’s columbinus), Costume Design by Moyenda Kulemeka (Signature’s Detroit ’67, Synetic Theater’s Cinderella), Lighting Design by John D. Alexander (Signature’s Daphne’s Dive, Mosaic Theater’s Marys Seacole), and Sound Design by Matt Otto (Folger Theater’s Nell Gwynn, Barrington Stage’s All of Me). Humaira Ghilzai is the Cultural Consultant & Dramaturg. Casting is by Jorge Acevedo & JZ Casting, Geoff Josselson, CSA & Katja Zarolinski, CSA. Lauren Pekel is the Production Stage Manager and Erica Feidelseit is the Production Assistant.
Twitter & Instagram: @SigTheatre
Hashtag: #SigSellingKabul
Selling Kabul is sponsored by the Jenna and Paul Segal Foundation and in memory of sponsor Bruce A. Cohen.
EVENT LISTINGS
DC Premiere
Selling Kabul
February 21 — April 2, 2023
ARK Theatre
A suspenseful drama about family and sacrifice from an exciting new voice.
In 2013, a sister secretly shelters her translator brother from an increasingly powerful Taliban while he awaits the ever-delayed arrival of a promised American visa. On the eve of his son’s birth, the walls begin to close in, threatening him, her and everyone they love in a heart-racing exposé with devastating echoes to the present day.
Breathtaking and unpredictable through the final curtain, this unflinching exploration exposes the human toll of American withdrawal.
“[Sylvia] Khoury’s delicately crafted play . . . etches the cost of tyranny, corruption and terror in intensely human terms.”
By Sylvia Khoury
Directed by Shadi Ghaheri
February 21 — April 2, 2023
Closed captions will be available for every show via the GalaPro app.
Pride Night, March 10, 2023
Post-show Discussions, March 7 and 15, 2023
Inside Signature, a discussion with Selling Kabul cast member Awesta Zarif, will take place Thursday, March 2 at 1PM in Signature’s lobby. The discussion will also stream online. FREE, no RSVP required.
Signature has updated its policy regarding masking in performance spaces. Please visit SigTheatre.org/Safety for more details on current safety standards.
Tickets and information at SigTheatre.org or 703 820 9771
SHORT LISTING
A sister hides her translator brother from the Taliban in this heart-racing Pulitzer Prize finalist. Now playing at Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA for 6 weeks only, February 21 — April 2, 2023. Tickets and information at SigTheatre.org.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Signature Theatre • 4200 Campbell Avenue • Arlington, VA 22206
Tickets at SigTheatre.org
Box Office: 703 820 9771 or [email protected]
Groups of 10 or more: 571 527 1843 or [email protected]
Signature Administration: 571 527 1860 or [email protected]
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