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Home , Ayad Akhtar, I Am My Own Wife

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Ellen McDonald 816.444.0052 [email protected]

FOR TICKETS: Box Office at 816.235.2700 or www.KCRep.org.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre 50th Anniversary Season Continues with Ayad Akhtar’s The Who & The What Kansas City Premiere from Author of Bestselling Novel American Dervish and Pulitzer Prize-winning Playwright of

Kansas City, MO (Sept. 17, 2014) — Kansas City Repertory Theatre continues its 50th anniversary celebration with the Kansas City premiere of Ayad Akhtar’s The Who & The What, directed by Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s Artistic Director Eric Rosen. From the 2013 Pulitzer Prize-winning writer of Disgraced, Ayad Akhtar’s play, The Who & The What takes a passionate and searing look at a family divided by faith, bonded by love and searching for truth in contemporary America. A brilliant young Pakistani writer is focused on finishing a controversial novel that bridges the gulf between her modern life and her traditional heritage. But when her conservative father and sister discover her manuscript, they are all forced to confront the beliefs that define then. This production, at KC Rep’s downtown Copaken Stage in the Power & Light District, will run October 17 through November 16. High resolution photos can be found here .

“This 50th anniversary season is about examining theatre that has changed the world. Ayad Akhtar’s fiercely funny and provocative play makes a vital contribution to the ongoing discussion of what it truly means to be an American in a post 9/11 world,” said Rosen. “We are doubly blessed in not only presenting this play but Ayad himself will be here, participating in several community discussions. I anticipate lively and engaging dialogue.”

KC Rep Continues 50th Anniversary Season with Ayad Akhtar’s The Who and The What Oct. 17 – Nov. 16 at Copaken Stage Page 1

About the Artists The cast includes Rania Salem Manganaro as Zarina (KC Rep debut, Hit the Wall at Barrow Street Theatre, NYC), Tony Mirrcandani as Afzal (KC Rep debut, Merchants of Bollywood, international tour), Kat Nejat as Mahwish (KC Rep debut, Lysistrata Jones on Broadway), and Rusty Sneary as Eli (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Kansas City Actors Theatre, Artistic Director, The Living Room).

Eric Rosen (Director) was the founding Artistic Director of Chicago’s About Face Theatre (AFT) from 1995 to 2008, and is a writer, director and producer. Original projects include Venice (KC Rep, Center Theatre Group-LA, Public Theater-NYC, “Best Musical of 2010”–TIME Magazine); Wedding Play (Steppenwolf/AFT, Jefferson nomination); Winesburg, Ohio (Steppenwolf/AFT-Jeff Award, Philadelphia’s Arden Theatre Company—Barrymore Award, KC Rep); Clay (AFT, Lookingglass Theatre-Chicago, Center Theatre Group, KC Rep, /CT3-Drama Desk Nomination, Jeff Award); and Undone, Whitman and Dream Boy (Jeff Award, several productions across the country). In addition to Venice, other Rep directing credits include: Clay; Winesburg, Ohio; world premiere of A Christmas Story, The Musical! (a hit musical on Broadway—three Tony nominations, including Best Musical); Cabaret; August: Osage County; The Whipping Man; Pippin; ; Romeo and Juliet; and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Additional directing credits include productions at Lincoln Center, Center Theatre Group, Steppenwolf, Goodman, Alliance, Lookingglass, Chicago Shakespeare, Hartford Stage, 5th Avenue, Prince, Cincinnati, Melbourne (Australia) and workshops at Sundance, O’Neill, , and the Public Theater. He has developed and produced over 40 world premieres, including ’s Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning I am My Own Wife and work by Mary Zimmerman, Frank Galati, Stephen Flaherty, , David Cale and The Civilians, among others. He holds a doctorate in performance studies from Northwestern University, has twice served as an NEA panelist, and serves on the Board of Directors of Theatre Communications Group, the national organization of non-profit theatres.

Ayad Akhtar (Playwright) was born in City and raised in , Wisconsin. He is the author of American Dervish, published in over twenty languages worldwide and a 2012 Best Book of the Year at , 's Globe and Mail, Shelf-Awareness, and O (Oprah) Magazine. He is also a playwright and screenwriter. His stage play Disgraced played at New York's LCT3/Lincoln Center Theater in 2012, and won the 2013 . His latest play, The Who & The What, premiered at La Jolla Playhouse in February 2014, and was performed in New York at LCT3/Lincoln Center Theater in June 2014. As a screenwriter, he was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay for The War Within. He has been the recipient of fellowships from MacDowell and Yaddo, as well as commissions from Lincoln Center Theater and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. He is a graduate of Brown and Columbia Universities with degrees in Theater and Film Directing.

Scenic design by Jack Magaw (The Who & The What at La Jolla Playhouse, at Centerstage); costume design by Alison Heryer (Pippin and The Whipping Man at KC Rep), and lighting design by Paul Toben (The Story of My Life on Broadway, Daddy Long Legs, national tour). Complete biographies of The Who & The What company can be found here. KC Rep Continues 50th Anniversary Season with Ayad Akhtar’s The Who and The What Oct. 17 – Nov. 16 at Copaken Stage Page 2

The Who & The What Performances October 17 – November 16, 2014| Copaken Stage | Written by Ayad Akhtar| Directed by Eric Rosen From the 2013 Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of Disgraced, comes a passionate and searing look at a family divided by faith, bonded by love and searching for truth in contemporary America. Appropriate for ages 16 and up.

Fri., Oct. 17 8:00 p.m. Sat., Oct. 18 8:00 p.m. Sun., Oct. 19 7:00 p.m. Tues., Oct. 21 7:00 p.m. Wed., Oct. 22 7:00 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 23 7:00 p.m. Fri., Oct. 24 8:00 p.m. Sat., Oct. 25 2 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. Sun., Oct. 26 2 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Tues., Oct. 28 7:00 p.m. Wed., Oct. 29 7:00 p.m. Thurs. Oct. 30 7:00 p.m. Fri., Oct. 31 8:00 p.m. Sat., Nov. 1 2 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. Sun., Nov. 2 2 p.m. Tues. Nov. 4 7:00 p.m. Wed., Nov. 5 7:00 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 6 7:00 p.m. Fri., Nov. 7 8:00 p.m. Sat., Nov. 8 3 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. Sun., Nov. 9 2 p.m. Wed., Nov. 12 7:00 p.m. Thurs. Nov. 13 7:00 p.m. Fri. Nov. 14 8:00 p.m. Sat., Nov. 15 3 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. Sun., Nov. 16 2 p.m.

Conversation Series Patrons are invited and welcome to attend these FREE post-show forums to learn more from the artists and creative teams about the production.

A Conversation with Ayad Akhtar Presented in cooperation with Rainy Day Books, Mon., Oct. 6, 7:30pm in Room 119 inside James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 1st Floor. RSVP to Box Office at 816- 253-2700. KC Rep presents an exclusive event with Pulitzer –Prize winning author and playwright Ayad Akhtar. Artistic Director Eric Rosen and Vivien Jennings of Rainy Day Books will moderate the discussion. Suggested donation at the door. Ayad Akhtar will be available following the event to sign copies of his books. Copies of American Dervish and The Who & The What will be available for purchase at the event.

KC Rep Continues 50th Anniversary Season with Ayad Akhtar’s The Who and The What Oct. 17 – Nov. 16 at Copaken Stage Page 3

Meet the Creative Team: Oct. 22, following the 7 pm performance Scholars’ Forum: Nov. 1, following the 2pm performance Actor’s Forum: Nov. 2, following the 2pm performance and Nov. 5, following the 8 pm performance

Subscriptions and Tickets Tickets to The Who & The What range from $20 to $59. For season subscription and ticket information for Kansas City Repertory Theatre's 2014-15 season production of The Who & The What and the remainder of the 2014-15 season, please contact the Box Office at 816.235.2700 or visit www.KCRep.org.

About Kansas City Repertory Theatre Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, Kansas City Repertory Theatre is one of the nation's oldest and most respected regional theaters. Lauded by The Wall Street Journal, TIME Magazine, Variety and the Toronto Sun, KC Rep produces main stage plays and special events at Spencer Theatre, where it serves as the professional theatre in residence at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), and Copaken Stage located in downtown Kansas City. KC Rep employs more than 250 professional artists, technicians and administrators, and serves more than 100,000 patrons and 12,000 school children annually. Kansas City Repertory Theatre is led by Artistic Director Eric Rosen and Executive Director Angela Lee Gieras.

Social and Digital Media Receive daily updates by ‘Liking’ KCRep’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KCREP and follow KC Rep on Twitter at @KCRep or on YouTube by visiting https://www.youtube.com/user/kansascityrep. High resolution photos can be downloaded here. B-roll is available upon request.

50th Anniversary 2014-2015 Season At A Glance Kansas City Repertory Theatre

Kansas City Repertory Theatre ticket office 816.235.2700 Purchase tickets online at www.kcrep.org.

Our Town September 5-28, 2014| Spencer Theatre | Written by | Directed by David Cromer | Co-production with UMKC Theatre Acclaimed Broadway director and MacArthur Fellow David Cromer presents his innovative and electrifying new production of Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize-winning classic calls David Cromer’s new version “wonderfully intimate…a highly rewarding production.”

KC Rep Continues 50th Anniversary Season with Ayad Akhtar’s The Who and The What Oct. 17 – Nov. 16 at Copaken Stage Page 4

The Who & The What October 17- November 16, 2014 | Copaken Stage| Written by Ayad Akhtar | Directed by Eric Rosen From the 2013 Pulitzer Prize-winning director of Disgraced, comes a passionate and searing look at a family divided by faith, bonded by love and searching for truth in contemporary America.

The Santaland Diaries December 6- December 24, 2014 | Copaken Stage | Written by David Sedaris | Directed by Eric Rosen America’s favorite irreverent elf Crumpet arrives in Kansas City! David Sedaris’ hysterical tale of elfin’ woe is a hilarious send-up of his brief, misguided career as a Macy’s elf.

A Christmas Carol November 21 - December 26, 2014 | Spencer Theatre | Written by Charles Dickens | Directed by Jerry Genochio A ripping good telling of the classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge, the curmudgeonly businessman who requires the intervention of a few spectral guides to understand the true meaning of Christmas and life.

An Iliad January 23 – February 15, 2015 | Spencer Theatre | Written by Denis O’Hare & Lisa Peterson | Directed by Jerry Genochio This retelling of Homer’s epic poem illuminates an ancient classic by taking a harrowing look at the human cost of war. Kyle Hatley will star in the production, directed by Jerry Genochio. Obie-Award winners Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare (HBO’s True Blood) have created a spellbinding work of theatre that spans three millennia.

Angels in America February 20 – March 29, 2015 | Copaken Stage | Written by | Directed by Gary Griffin A world-class revival of a modern classic. The most honored play in a generation, winner of the and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. melds love, hate, religion and politics into a uniquely American epic. Part I, Millennium Approaches and Part II, Perestroika will be presented in rotating repertory at Copaken Stage.

HAIR March 20 – April 12, 2015 | Spencer Theatre | Book and Lyrics by James Rado & Gerome Ragni | Music by Galt MacDermot | Directed by Eric Rosen The musical that defined a generation and brought rock music to the theatrical stage, HAIR captures the essence of the revolution and passion of the 1960s. In addition to its legendary score, this production will feature documentary interviews with original Broadway artists, and continues KC Rep’s tradition of re-imagining the classic musical.

Sticky Traps April 24- May 24, 2015 | Copaken Stage | Written by Nathan Louis Jackson | Directed by Kyle Hatley In a small town not far from Kansas City, a mother protects her son’s honor in a new play by KC Rep’s Playwright-in-Residence Nathan Louis Jackson. Her actions have unintended consequences that will test her whole family- and the power of their love- in the face of hate. ###

Please direct all media inquiries to: Ellen McDonald at 816.444.0052, 816.213.4355 (cell) or [email protected]. KC Rep Continues 50th Anniversary Season with Ayad Akhtar’s The Who and The What Oct. 17 – Nov. 16 at Copaken Stage Page 5

For further information, please visit our Web site at www.kcrep.org.

For Tickets: 816.235.2700 or www.kcrep.org.

KC Rep Continues 50th Anniversary Season with Ayad Akhtar’s The Who and The What Oct. 17 – Nov. 16 at Copaken Stage Page 6