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A meet-cute at the local temple brings Naveen Gavaskar face-to-face with the man of his dreams: a fellow Marathi-speaking Hindu who loves the same Bollywood films and can cook a mean dal makhani. If his parents were ever going to accept him bringing home a boyfriend, Keshav would be that boy except – he’s white, raised by Indian foster parents who adopted him. But they’re madly in love and so off they head to the Gavaskar house, where Naveen’s white boyfriend isn’t the only surprise ready to walk through the door. This inter-generational, intercultural comedy presents a warm portrait of an Indian family wrestling with tradition, masculinity, and acceptance.

Accessibility 

Audio described performance on Wednesday, March 22  at 7:45 pm
Sign interpreted performance on Thursday, March 30 at 7:45 pm

This production contains the use of fog, loud sounds, strobe effects, and haze.

 

 

DDLJ

Naveen and Keshav have their first date at San Francisco's iconic Castro Theatre to see the Bollywood film, “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge”—or DDLJ for short. The film was a massive hit in India and has been playing in theatres continuously since 1995 when it was released. You can learn more about the film and its cultural impact on Indian society here.

Our friends at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center have arranged a special screening of DDLJ for Sunday, April 16 at 2:00 pm! Visit their website for more information and tickets.

By
Madhuri Shekar

Directed by
Zi Alikhan

2022-23 Season
Part of the 2022-23 Season

Helen Hayes Award Winner

Best Choreography in a Play

Ambika Raina

Trailer

HOT SAMOSAS

Get to know the cast of A Nice Indian Boy as they eat samosas with hot sauce, discuss their roles, and the play with director Zi Alikhan. Missed the earlier episodes? Watch Episode I here and Episode II here.

Episode III

In the Press

  • DC Theater Arts - "A sweet comedy about love and mixups, charms at Olney" (review)
  • Broadway World - "By the end of the play... there will not be a somber face in the crowd." (review)
  • Metro Weekly - "The Finely Focused Cultural Lens of 'A Nice Indian Boy'" (feature)
  • The Washington Blade - "New play explores bringing a partner home to meet traditional Indian parents" (feature)
  • MD Theatre Guide - "For those seeking sweet and dramatic entertainment, A Nice Indian Boy hits just the spot." (review)
  • Unprofessional Opinion - "Incredibly hilarious and beautifully heartfelt, this tale of love, culture, and family will entertain and educate audiences of all backgrounds" (review)
  • Surasree Das

    u/s Megha, Arundhathi
  • Noah Israel

    Keshav/Dance Captain
  • Jessica Jain

    Arundhathi
  • Abhimanyu Katyal

    Archit
  • Carol Mazhuvancheril

    Naveen
  • Lynette Rathnam

    Megha
  • Shaan Sharma

    u/s Naveen, Archit
  • Taylor Witt

    u/s Keshav
  • Madhuri Shekar

    Playwright
  • Zi Alikhan

    Director
  • Emma Deane

    Lighting Designer
  • Kenny Neal

    Sound Designer
  • Frank J Oliva

    Scenic Designer
  • Danielle Preston

    Costume Designer
  • Ambika Raina

    Associate Director/Choreographer
  • Mallory Shear

    Intimacy Choreographer
  • Hope Villanueva

    Production Stage Manager

Community Events

  • NOT YOUR AUNTY’S SINGLE MIXER

    Thursday, March 23, 2023, at 6:00 pm
    $40 with a ticket to A Nice Indian Boy

    Hosted by comedian Vijai Nathan

    Vijai is one of the leading Indian American female comedians making people laugh across America and internationally too. Vijai grew up as a “foreigner” (or at least that's what everyone called her) in the suburbs of Washington D.C. where she was born. Her material comes from her experience as an Indian girl in America - raising two immigrant parents, dating boys with mothers who wished their sons could find a nice blonde girl named "Tiffany," and the universal quest for love, understanding and a good pair of undies.

  • HOW TO DANCE BHANGRA AT AN INDIAN WEDDING

    Saturday March 25, 2023 at 6:45 pm
    Free with Registration

    Join professional dancer and dance teacher Payal Makhijani for a bhangra class, so you’ll be ready to hit the dance floor at the next Indian wedding you attend! In this introduction to bhangra, she will teach a 30-second, fun routine to a punjabi song. No dance experience is needed, all levels and ages are welcome. Be ready to break a sweat!

  • SOUTH ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL

    Sunday, March 26 at 4:00 pm
    $5

    Hosted in partnership with DC South Asian Arts Council Inc, a non profit 501 (c) (3) organization and the Washington DC South Asian Film Festival (DCSAFF) which is one of the most celebrated screen events on the Washington, D.C. cultural calendar. The festival takes place annually in the heart of America’s capital, showcasing the best in alternative cinema from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, and Tibet.

  • HOW TO DANCE (BOLLYWOOD-STYLE) AT AN INDIAN WEDDING

    Friday, March 31, 2023 at 7:00 pm
    Free with RSVP

    Featured event at Silver Spring Town Center Inc.'s Around the World Bazaar

    Presented in collaboration with The SAPAN Institute

    Join The SAPAN Institute for a dance class where you will learn easy and fun steps to use on the dance floor at the next Indian wedding you attend! We will be going through dance steps to popular songs that you will hear at any Indian wedding. No dance experience needed, all levels and ages welcome!

  • SOUTH ASIAN BOOKSTORE POP-UP: KAHINI BOOKS

    Saturday April 1, 2023, at 4:00 pm
    Free, No Registration Required

    Ryanna Quazi is the owner of Kahini Books, a South Asian-focused pop-up bookstore based in Washington D.C. Kahini Books has popped up at some of the biggest festivals in the DMV area and has been featured in Washingtonian Magazine. 

  • CONVERSATION BETWEEN MADHURI SHEKAR & KAREN ZACARIAS

    Held on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at 5:00 pm
    Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab

    Acclaimed DC Playwright Karen Zacarías (Native Gardens and many more) interviews her friend and colleague Madhuri Shekar, author of A Nice Indian Boy, in this special edition of Behind the Scenes. These two women playwrights, with cultural origins in India and Mexico, discuss writing stories of the diaspora and clashing cultures in America.

  • SOUTH ASIAN AUTHOR STORY TIME AT OLNEY LIBRARY

    Held on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at 11:00 am

    Location: Olney Public Library

    As part of our celebration of A Nice Indian Boy, we’re sponsoring a morning of stories at the Olney Public Library hosted by Ryanna Quazi. This is a free family event appropriate for all ages, especially toddlers, preschoolers, and young children.

CONVERSATION BETWEEN MADHURI SHEKAR & KAREN ZACARIAS

A Nice Indian Boy

April 12 - April 16 2023

Box Office: 301.924.3400

Open Wednesday - Sunday: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM

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