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Photos: First Look at THE LUNCHBOX at Berkeley Repertory Theatre

See photos of Manu Narayan, Kuhoo Verma and more on stage.

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You can now get a first look at production photos of Berkeley Repertory Theatre's The Lunch Box, the world premiere musical adaptation of Ritesh Batra's internationally acclaimed film, now playing through June 28, 2026 at the Roda Theatre.

With a book and co-lyrics by Ritesh Batra and music and co-lyrics by The Lazours, the new musical is set in bustling Mumbai, where a misdirected lunchbox delivery sparks an unlikely bond between a young wife longing to be seen and a widower nearing retirement. As notes pass back and forth with each meal, their words blossom into an unexpected romance. Chavkin, best known for her Tony-winning work on Hadestown, directs with choreography by Reshma Gajjar and music supervision by Nathan Koci.

Manu Narayan, known for Broadway's Bombay Dreams and Apple TV's Your Friends & Neighbors, leads the cast as Saajan, alongside Kuhoo Verma, seen previously at Berkeley Rep in Monsoon Wedding and Octet, as Ila. The cast also includes Anisha Nagarajan as Mrs. Deshpande, Aathaven Tharmarajah as Shaikh, and Shaarada Karthik and Caryna Shah alternating as Yashvi.

Photo credit: Kevin Berne



Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Featured Performer in a Musical - Top 3
1. Ali Louis Bourzgui - The Lost Boys, A New Musical
18.3% of votes
2. Bryce Pinkham - Chess
9.2% of votes
3. Hannah Cruz - Chess
6.5% of votes

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