VIDEO: First Look at HOUSE OF JOY at San Diego Rep

San Diego Repertory Theatre presents House of Joy, the fifth show in the theatre's 44th season. The production, written by Madhuri Shekar and directed by Sam Woodhouse, the theatre's Artistic Director, and Arpita Mukherjee, will run March 5 - 29, 2020, in San Diego REP's Lyceum Space Theatre.

Get a first look in the video!

Set in the 17th century, in a place like Delhi, India, House of Joy spins the tale of Hamida, one of the elite female bodyguards in the Emperor's Imperial Harem. When faced with an impossible ethical quandary, Hamida goes against everything she believes and risks her life to help abused Queen Mariyam escape the heavily guarded harem. Inspired by the epic legends of Indian history, Shekar has crafted a swashbuckling action-adventure romance centering on strong women who battle each other as well as a world threatening to enter their sacred space. This wildly entertaining story of palace intrigue and betrayal features sword fights, narrow escapes and sparks of revolution that culminates in a breathtaking conclusion!

The ensemble cast of San Diego REP's production is led by Devereau Chumrau playing "Hamida." Joining Chumrau are Karthik Srinivasan (Orange at South Coast Repertory, Shiv at Theatre at Boston Court) as "Thermometer," Shaun Tuazon (Vietgone at San Diego REP, Girlfriend at Diversionary Theatre) as "Salima," TaiReikca L.A. (T.O.A.S.T and Body of Faith at Oregon Shakespeare Festival) as "Roshni," Mondis Vakili (A Thousand Splendid Suns at The Old Globe, Dust at Cygnet Theatre) as "Noorah," Tamara Rodriguez (KISS MY AZTEC, Up Here at La Jolla Playhouse) as "Mariyam," Ulka Simone Mohanty (The Moodys on Fox, Cutthroat Kitchen on Food Network) as "Gulal," Deepti Kingra (An Ideal Husband at Cranbrook Court Theatre Company, Border Grill at Scripps Ranch Theatre) as "Ensemble" and Ka'imi Kuoha (a 7th degree black belt) as "Ensemble."