Skip to main content Skip to footer site map

VIDEO: THE KITE RUNNER's Azita Ghanizada Gives Curtain Call Speech on the Anniversary of the Taliban Takeover of Kabul

The Kite Runner is a haunting tale of friendship spanning cultures and continents, that follows one man's journey to confront his past and find redemption.

The Kite Runner

On the year anniversary of the Taliban takeover of Kabul, The Kite Runner's Azita Ghanizada made a speech at curtain call, recognizing the anniversary, and the human rights violations of the past year.

She stated, "This is more than a play. To be Afghan and to be here on Broadway, sharing this story-in this time-with all of you every night is incredibly important. With this company and these producers who knew we had a chance to elevate consciousness through the power of storytelling."

Watch the speech below.

The Kite Runner will run through October 30 at The Hayes Theater (240 West 44th Street).

Leading the cast is Amir Arison as Amir and Faran Tahir as Baba. They will be joined by Mazin Akar, Barzin Akhavan, Demosthenes Chrysan, Azita Ghanizada, Danish Farooqui, Joe Joseph, Déa Julien, Dariush Kashani, Beejan Land, Amir Malaklou, Christine Mirzayan, Haris Pervaiz, Alex Purcell, Eric Sirakian, Houshang Touzie, and Evan Zes. Salar Nader plays the tabla, a percussion instrument.

Based on Khaled Hosseini's internationally best-selling novel and adapted by Matthew Spangler, the production comes to New York from two successful seasons in London's West End.

The Kite Runner is directed by Giles Croft and adapted by Matthew Spangler. The creative team is Barney George (Scenic and Costume Design), Charles Balfour (Lighting Design), Drew Baumohl (Sound Design), William Simpson (Projection Design), Jonathan Girling (Composer and Musical Supervisor), Kitty Winter (Movement Director), Laura Stanczyk (Casting Director), Humaira Ghilzai (Cultural Advisor and Script Consultant) and Damian Sandys (Associate Director).

It is produced by Victoria Lang, Ryan Bogner and Tracey McFarland of Broadway & Beyond Theatricals, Jayne Baron Sherman, and Hunter Arnold, in association with UK Productions Ltd. and Flying Entertainment Ltd/Kilimanjaro Group Ltd. Daryl Roth is the Executive Producer.

Originally published in 2003, 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.

One of the best-loved and most highly acclaimed novels of our time, The Kite Runner is a haunting tale of friendship spanning cultures and continents, that follows one man's journey to confront his past and find redemption. Afghanistan is a divided country on the verge of war 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 terrible incident which will shatter their lives forever.  





Related Stories
THE KITE RUNNER Will Launch North American Tour in 2024 Photo
Dramatic Publishing has licensed the Broadway production of The Kite Runner, and a North American tour is being planned for 2024. Tour cities, dates and casting will be announced. The Kite Runner will have played 17 previews and 117 regular performances on Broadway.

THE KITE RUNNER Plays Final Broadway Performance Photo
On October 30, 2022, Broadway says goodbye to The Kite Runner, which plays its final performance at the Hayes Theater. The Kite Runner ran for 17 previews and 101 regular performances. 

THE KITE RUNNER Will Require Masks at Wednesday Matinees Photo
Beginning Wednesday, September 7,  Broadway’s The Kite Runner will require audiences to wear masks at Wednesday matinees, in addition to the previously announced Friday night performances at the Hayes Theater (240 West 44th Street).

VIDEO: THE KITE RUNNER Understudy Déa Julien is On the Rise! Photo
Déa Julien is making her Broadway debut as an understudy in The Kite Runner this summer, but it might not be in the role that you'd expect. Déa, who as a first generation American shares much of her background with the characters in the play, understudies the roles of Hassan/Sohrab, normally played by a male actor- Eric Sirakian. Watch the full video interview!

Buy at the Theatre Shop

T-Shirts, Mugs, Phone Cases & More



More Hot Stories For You


The Late Terrence McNally Pens Note on RAGTIME: 'It's All For Marin Tonight'The Late Terrence McNally Pens Note on RAGTIME: 'It's All For Marin Tonight'
March 28, 2023

Last night, the best of Broadway gathered at the Minskoff Theatre for the years-in-the-making Ragtime reunion concert benefitting the Entertainment Community Fund. You can read the late Terrence McNally's note to the audience in full here.

Photos: Billy Porter Celebrates His OUT Magazine Cover at Somewhere NowherePhotos: Billy Porter Celebrates His OUT Magazine Cover at Somewhere Nowhere
March 28, 2023

OUT, the leading LGBTQ+ fashion and lifestyle publication, unveiled its March/April issue on March 24th, featuring Emmy-, Tony-, and Grammy-winning icon Billy Porter on the cover. Porter recently celebrated his OUT Magazine cover at Somewhere Nowhere. Check out photos here!

Video: Watch Original RAGTIME Cast Reunite for Curtain CallVideo: Watch Original RAGTIME Cast Reunite for Curtain Call
March 28, 2023

Just last night, The Entertainment Community Fund presented a one-night-only benefit reunion concert of Ragtime at the Minskoff Theatre. Watch as Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Peter Friedman, Kelli O'Hara and more take their bows at the end of the big night!

HAMILTON Will Make its Asian Premiere In Manila This SeptemberHAMILTON Will Make its Asian Premiere In Manila This September
March 28, 2023

Tony, Grammy, Olivier and Pulitzer Prize-winning Hamilton will make its Asian premiere in Manila, for a strictly limited season, at The Theatre at Solaire this September. 

Wake Up With BWW 3/28: Inside SWEENEY TODD Opening Night, Plus a Message From Rachel Brosnahan!Wake Up With BWW 3/28: Inside SWEENEY TODD Opening Night, Plus a Message From Rachel Brosnahan!
March 28, 2023

Top stories: Check out our coverage from opening night of Sweeney Todd, plus watch a video message from Rachel Brosnahan in honor of BroadwayWorld's 20th anniversary!