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Jaclyn Backhaus's India Pale Ale Opens Off-Broadway

Shazi Raja and Purva Bedi star in Manhattan Theatre Club’s world premiere.

Jason Zednick
Off-Broadway
The company of India Pale Ale celebrate opening night at New York City Center.
The company of India Pale Ale celebrate opening night at New York City Center.
(© Jenny Anderson)

Manhattan Theatre Club's world-premiere production of Jaclyn Backhaus's India Pale Ale celebrated opening night on Tuesday, October 23, at New York City Center — Stage I.

Sathya Sridharan, Jaclyn Backhaus, Will Davis, and Nik Sadhnani toast to a successful opening.
Sathya Sridharan, Jaclyn Backhaus, Will Davis, and Nik Sadhnani toast to a successful opening.
(© Jenny Anderson)

Directed by Will Davis, India Pale Ale is described as follows: "In a small Wisconsin town, a tight-knit Punjabi community gathers to celebrate the wedding of a traditional family's only son, just as their strong-willed daughter announces her plans to move away and open a bar. As they come together for feasts filled with singing and dancing, one generation's cherished customs clash with another's modern-day aspirations, and ghosts and pirates from the family's past linger in everyone's thoughts — until one sudden event changes everything."

Sophia Mahmud, Purva Bedi, Shazi Raja, Lipica Shah, and Angel Desai pose on the red carpet.
Sophia Mahmud, Purva Bedi, Shazi Raja, Lipica Shah, and Angel Desai pose on the red carpet.
(© Jenny Anderson)

Featured in the cast are Purva Bedi, Angel Desai, Sophia Mahmud, Nate Miller, Shazi Raja, Nik Sadhnani, Lipica Shah, Sathya Sridharan, and Alok Tewari. The design team includes Neil Patel (scenic design), Arnulfo Maldonado (costume design), Ben Stanton (lighting design), Elisheba Ittoop (sound design), and Dave Bova (hair and makeup design).