Photo Flash: First Look at Joseph Kamal, Khris Davis, Melis Aker & More in Arena Stage's LOVE IN AFGHANISTAN

The world premiere of LOVE IN AFGHANISTAN runs October 11-November 17 at Arena Stage. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production shots below!

Charles Randolph-Wright, a Resident Playwright through Arena Stage's American Voices New Play Institute and director of Motown the Musical currently on Broadway, joins forces with director Lucie Tiberghien (MCC Theater's Don't Go Gentle) to bring to life the tale of two fantastically different people discovering love in the most unlikely of places: war-torn Afghanistan. One, an emerging hip-hop artist, the other, a high-level Afghan interpreter, both fight to navigate the pitfalls of romance, religious differences and political unrest.

Arena Stage introduces Melis Aker as young interpreter Roya and Khris Davis as American music star Duke. Aker, a recent graduate of Tufts University and native of Turkey, and Davis, a Philadelphia-based actor, make their D.C.-area debuts. They are joined by Joseph Kamal (last seen at Arena Stage in Anthems: Culture Clash in the District directed by Randolph-Wright) as Roya's father Sadeed and D.C.-area actress Dawn Ursula (Woolly Mammoth's The Convert) in her Arena Stage debut as Duke's mother Desiree.

The creative team for Love in Afghanistan includes Set Designer Daniel Conway, Costume Designer Kathleen Geldard, Lighting Designer Mark Lanks, Sound Designer Elisheba Ittoop, Institute Dramaturg Jocelyn Clarke and Stage Manager Christi Spann.

Tickets for Love in Afghanistan are $40-$90, subject to change and based on availability, plus applicable fees. For information on savings programs such as student discounts, Southwest Nights, Pay-Your-Age tickets, HOTTIX and Hero's Discounts, visit arenastage.org/shows-tickets/single-tickets/savings-programs/. Tickets may be purchased online at arenastage.org, by phone at 202-488-3300 or at the Sales Office at 1101 Sixth St., SW, D.C.

Photos Credit: Teresa Wood

Melis Aker as Roya and Joseph Kamal as Sadeed

Melis Aker as Roya

Khris Davis as Duke

Joseph Kamal as Sadeed, Melis Aker as Roya, Dawn Ursula as Desiree and Khris Davis as Duke

Joseph Kamal as Sadeed and Melis Aker as Roya

Khris Davis as Duke

Dawn Ursula as Desiree

Joseph Kamal as Sadeed and Melis Aker as Roya

Khris Davis as Duke

Melis Aker as Roya

Khris Davis as Duke and Melis Aker as Roya

Khris Davis as Duke and Melis Aker as Roya