Ayad Akhtar's THE WHO & THE WHAT Gets Extension; Huntington Receives $40,000 Dollar Grant

The Huntington Theatre Company presents the provocative and moving drama The Who & the What by Ayad Akhtar, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the blockbuster hit Disgraced, and directed by Huntington's associate producer M. Bevin O'Gara (Milk Like Sugar and Becoming Cuba at the Huntington). Performances now run March 31 - May 7, 2017 at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA / South End.

In The Who & the What, brilliant novelist Zarina is writing about women and Islam when she meets Eli, a young convert who bridges the gap between her modern life and traditional heritage. When her conservative father discovers her controversial manuscript, they all must confront the beliefs that define them. The Who & the What is a fierce and funny new play about relationships, religion, and the contradictions that make us who we are. "A vibrant culture-clash drama simmering with humor," says the Associated Press.

"I am so excited to share the loving and thorny tale of Zarina's family with Boston audiences," says playwright Ayad Akhtar. "Disgraced at the Huntington was a very gratifying experience for me, and I am so honored this play is a part of their season."

"After last season's provocative hit Disgraced I am looking forward to having another story by Ayad Akhtar brought to life on our stage," says Artistic Director Peter DuBois. "The Who & the What provides a unique, vitally important look into the Muslim American experience through the lens of faith and family."

National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu has approved more than $30 million in grants as part of the NEA's first major funding announcement for fiscal year 2017. Included in this announcement is an Art Works grant of $40,000 to the Huntington to support the production of The Who & the What. The Art Works category focuses on the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, public engagement with diverse and excellent art, lifelong learning in the arts, and the strengthening of communities through the arts.

"The arts are for all of us, and by supporting organizations such as the Huntington Theatre Company, the National Endowment for the Arts is providing more opportunities for the public to engage with the arts," says NEA Chairman Jane Chu. "Whether in a theatre, a town square, a museum, or a hospital, the arts are everywhere and make our lives richer.

Additionally, the Huntington will engage Greater Boston audiences in even deeper discussion about the complexities of the Muslim American identity through a robust series of talkbacks and public events that explore Islam and faith in America after most performances of The Who & the What.

"Last season's hit production of Disgraced generated intense and thoughtful discussions after each performance, with hundreds of audience members staying behind to share their thoughts with us and with their fellow theatregoers," says Huntington Managing Director Michael Maso. "We are looking forward to building on those conversations this season with The Who & the What. We are lining up a first-rate series of speakers to lead audience members in thought-provoking and stimulating conversations after most performances, about the play, about faith in America, and about Muslim American identity, at a time when those conversations could not be more important."

A full list of talkbacks and public events will be released in March. For more information on projects included in the NEA grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.

ABOUT THE Huntington Theatre Company
Celebrating its 35th season, the Huntington Theatre Company is Boston's leading professional theatre and one of the region's premier cultural assets since its founding in 1982. Recipient of the 2013 Regional Theatre Tony Award, the Huntington brings together superb local and national talent, produces a mix of groundbreaking new works and classics made current to create award-winning productions, runs nationally renowned programs in education and new play development, and serves the local theatre community through its operation of the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA. Under the direction of Artistic Director Peter DuBois and Managing Director Michael Maso, the Huntington cultivates, celebrates, and champions theatre as an art form. For more information, visit huntingtontheatre.org.

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