Photo Flash: First Look at THE WHO & THE WHAT at La Jolla Playhouse

La Jolla Playhouse presents its final production for its 2013/14 season: the world premiere of The Who & The What, by Ayad Akhtar, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright for Disgraced and author of the acclaimed novel American Dervish, directed by Kimberly Senior (Disgraced), running now through March 9, 2014 (press opening: Wednesday, February 19 at 7:30pm) in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The cast features Monika Jolly (Theatre@Boston Court's 1001) as "Zarina," Meera Rohit Kumbhani (Classic Stage Company's As You Like It) as "Mahwish," Kai Lennox (TV's Justified) as "Eli" and Bernard White (Playhouse's The Seven, Dogeaters) as "Afzal."

The creative team includes Jack Magaw, scenic designer; Elisa Benzoni, costume designer; Jaymi Lee Smith, lighting designer; Jill BC DuBoff, sound designer; Gabriel Greene, dramaturg; and Dana DePaul, stage manager.

Raised in a conservative Muslim family in Atlanta, the outspoken and brilliant Zarina routinely clashes with her traditional father and sister. Zarina's one outlet - her recently-completed book about women and Islam - threatens to tear her family apart for good. With humor and ferocity, Ayad Akhtar's The Who & The What examines the giant chasm between our traditions and our contemporary lives.

Touted as one of Time Magazine's "10 Reasons for Theater Lovers to Leave New York in 2014," The Who & The What had its first developmental reading last year during The Playhouse's inaugural DNA New Work Series. Following the presentation, Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley programmed the play as part of the 2013/2014 season.

Tickets for The Who & The What are available online at LaJollaPlayhouse.org or by calling the Patron Services Office at (858) 550-1010.

Photo Credit: Kevin Berne