The producers of The Kite Runner, a play with music based on Khaled Hosseini’s internationally best-selling novel, are pleased to announce full casting for the North American tour of the acclaimed Broadway and West End production.
Starring in the tour is Ramzi Khalaf as Amir. The cast also features Raji Ahsan, Danish Farooqui, Shahzeb Zahid Hussain, Hassan Nazari-Robati, Haythem Noor, James Rana, Jonathan Shaboo, Kevin Stevens, Wiley Naman Strasser, Awesta Zarif, Jade Ziane, and Sophie Zmorrod. They join Salar Nader, the renowned musician who dazzled audiences in the Broadway production, who was previously announced to be reprising his role as tabla artist for the tour.
“It’s not often that a play as powerful and uplifting as The Kite Runner comes along,” said Tracey McFarland, Producer and President of Booking at Broadway & Beyond Theatricals. “We are delighted to take audiences across America on this emotional and hopeful journey.”
The powerful stage production of The Kite Runner tells a haunting tale of friendship spanning cultures and continents, following one man’s journey to confront his past and find redemption. Afghanistan is a divided country, and two childhood friends are about to be torn apart. It’s a beautiful afternoon in Kabul and the skies are full of the excitement and joy of a kite flying tournament. But neither of the boys can foresee the incident which will change their lives forever. Told across two decades and two continents, The Kite Runner is an unforgettable journey of forgiveness, and shows us all that we can be good again.
Originally published in 2003, Hosseini’s The Kite Runner became a bestseller across the globe and has since been published in 70 countries, selling 31.5 million copies in 60 languages. Now this powerful story has been adapted into a stunning stage production.
Biographies
RAMZI KHALAF (Amir). Recent credits include Bob Cratchit in Warchus & Thorne’s Broadway adaptation of A Christmas Carol (Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco), Richard Dreyfuss in Bruce The Musical (Seattle Rep), Edmund in The Rat Trap (Mint Theatre). TV: Chef Rasmus Ray on “Blacklist.” Recent graduate of The Juilliard School’s Drama Division.
RAJI AHSAN (Understudy). TV: “Shameless,” “Dave,” “911 Lone Star,” “New Amsterdam,” “Minx.” Upcoming: Hulu’s “Interior Chinatown” opposite Jimmy O. Yang. Additionally, Raji’s Aremay Productions (w/Brooklyn Quarter) is producing “Dr. Sam,” a short with a cameo by Lucie Arnaz. Great gratitude to HAA, S&H/G & Mom. For Danny. @rajiahsan
DANISH FAROOQUI (Wali/Guard/Pakistani Doctor). Broadway: The Kite Runner. TV: “Blacklist”, “Power”, “Twisted Timeline…”(Nickelodeon), “Fleischman…”, “Up Here”(Hulu). 100+ Voiceovers: I Am Malala, Narwhal’s… (Penguin Randomhouse), Earth Defense Force (PS4), Little Vampire, Creadores de Soluciones, Clear Qur’an. “Akelay Sath Mein”, “Discharge” in festivals. @danishfarooqui IMDb.me/DanishFarooqui. Reps: Buchwald, Take 3, People Store.
SHAHZEB ZAHID HUSSAIN (Hassan/Sohrab) is a Pakistani American actor. He grew up in England and moved to the US at age 12. He is proud of his heritage and being a refugee himself, is thrilled to share this wonderful story with you tonight. Lastly, he’d like thank his mom Nargis Zahid.
SALAR NADER (Tabla Artist). Hailed as Afghanistan’s preeminent tabla virtuoso, Salar is a percussionist, composer, producer, and educator. A senior disciple of the legendary Zakir Hussain, he currently tours with NEA Jazz Master Stanley Clarke. Salar composed for and performed in six previous Kite Runner productions throughout North America. www.salarnader.com
HASSAN NAZARI-ROBATI (Ali/Farid) is thrilled be a part of telling this amazing story. Tour: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere; National/International). Regional: Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, TUTS, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, Palace Theatre, Prather Theatricals. TV/Film: “The Chosen.” Much love to my family, friends, and James.
HAYTHEM NOOR (Baba) is a New Yorker from Cairo, Egypt. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the City University of New York, he has honed his craft studying the Meisner acting technique at Esper Studio under the tutelage of William Esper. A true embodiment of passion and dedication in his craft.
JAMES RANA (General Taheri). Broadway: The Band’s Visit. Off-Broadway: The Government Inspector, Serendib, Marat/Sade, Shogun Macbeth, Mother Courage. National/International: The Band’s Visit (1st National Tour), Love’s Labor’s Lost (Royal Shakespeare Co.), Macbeth (Bonn Biennial). Regional: Kennedy Center, Huntington Theatre, Denver Center, Shakespeare Theatre Co., Theatreworks Silicon Valley. Film: “Strays” (also wrote).
JONATHAN SHABOO (Rahim Khan/Russian Soldier #2/Dr. Schneider/Omar Faisal) is proud to be part of The Kite Runner and share this humbling story. U.S. National Tour: Evil Dead: The Musical. Regional/International: The Band’s Visit, A Distinct Society (Writers Theatre), Layalina (Goodman Theatre), North American premiere of Julie: After Strindberg (Untold Wants), Greater Expectations (The Second City Toronto)
KEVIN STEVENS (Merchant/Russian Soldier #1; u/s Assef, Kamal/Zaman, Wali/Guard/Pakistani Doctor). Buffalo, NY native. National Tours: RENT 20th Anniversary (Mark u/s), An Officer and A Gentleman, 1st Nat’l (Cohen). Off-Broadway: Big Bang Theory Parody (Leonard). Regional: Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), Spring Awakening (Georg), Matilda(Mr. Wormwood). Lead Vocalist aboard AIDAcara. BFA from Fredonia State University. With gratitude. @keevsteev | keevsteev.com
WILEY NAMAN STRASSER (Assef) is an actor, dancer, singer and musician. Recent credits include A Christmas Carol (National Tour), We Build Houses Here (Detour Dance), and Drowning in Cairo (Golden Thread). Other credits with The Civilians, Berkeley Rep, Magic Theatre, SF Playhouse, and The Los Angeles Theatre Center. wileynamanstrasser.com
AWESTA ZARIF (Soraya) is beyond honored to make her national tour debut with The Kite Runner. Born in Kabul, Afghanistan, she was primarily raised in San Diego and received her B.F.A. from Boston University’s School of Theatre. She dedicates her performance to her parents, Hilay Kamyar Zarif and Faieq Zarif. Awestazarif.com. #letafghangirlslearn
JADE ZIANE (Kamal/Zaman/Husband/Radio Announcer) will be making his national tour debut with THE KITE RUNNER. Television: “FBI: Most Wanted.” Off Broadway: “Mint” in Remarkable Rooming House of Mme. LeMonde (Soho Rep), Queens Blvd (Lion Theatre). He’s eternally grateful to his family, friends and his beautiful fiancé, for their unconditional love and support.
SOPHIE ZMORROD (Pomegranate Seller/Wife/Andrews; u/s Soraya, Wali/Guard/Pakistani Doctor). Most recently originated the role of Béa in The Acting Company’s production of ODYSSEY, adapted and directed by Lisa Petersen. Select theatre: Sweeney Todd (Trinity Repertory Company), Marjana and the Forty Thieves (Target Margin Theater) and INVASION! (Ancram Center for the Arts). TV: “Gladiator: American Sports Story” (FX), “For Live” (ABC). Training: Brown/Trinity Rep. www.sophiezmorrod.com.
The Kite Runner originally premiered at the San Jose Repertory Theater in 2009. In 2013, Nottingham Playhouse and Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse staged a new production in the UK. In 2017, The Kite Runner returned to the stage in London’s West End for two critically-lauded, limited engagements at Wyndham’s Theatre and the Playhouse Theatre. The much-anticipated Broadway production played a strictly limited run at the Hayes Theater in the summer of 2022.
The Kite Runner is directed by Giles Croft and adapted by Matthew Spangler. The creative team includes Jonathan Girling (Composer and Musical Supervisor), Barney George (Scenic and Costume Design), Charles Balfour (Lighting Design), Drew Baumohl (Sound Design), William Simpson (Projection Design), Wojcik Casting Team (Casting Director), Kitty Winter (Movement Director), Damian Sandys (Associate Director), John Fortunato (Production Stage Manager) and James Latus (Production Supervisor). Humaira Ghilzai serves as Cultural Consultant and Dialect Coach.
The Kite Runner is produced by Victoria Lang, Ryan Bogner and Tracey Stroock McFarland of Broadway & Beyond Theatricals, Jayne Baron Sherman, Hunter Arnold, and Kayla Greenspan in association with Martin Dodd for UK Productions Ltd., and Stuart Galbraith for Flying Entertainment Ltd/Kilimanjaro Group Ltd. Daryl Roth is the Executive Producer.
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