A Way to Be Good Again

The Kite Runner

Amir is a young man riddled with guilt. Back when he was a child, Amir’s lifelong companion, his devoted servant and best friend Hassan, became the victim of a horrific tragic assault. But Amir simply cowered in the shadows, standing by and watching, doing nothing to defend his friend nor anything to assist Hassan afterwards. He has never told anyone about the brutal attack and Amir’s guilt over his cowardice has forever haunted him. But one day he receives a mysterious phone call asking Amir to return to the Middle East, telling him, “There is a way to be good again.” 

When the Soviet Union and the Taliban took over their beloved homeland, Amir and his father, Baba, flee Afghanistan for the safety of the United States. They leave behind a luxurious way of life in exchange for an austere life and more freedom. As the two men attempt to assimilate into American culture, Baba, once a wealthy man in Kabul, is reduced to pumping gas to make ends meet. By repurposing other people’s discarded treasures, and selling them at a local flea market, Baba’s also able to provide the means for his son to attend college. Amir marries and earns a degree in writing, but is still obsessed by the brutal attack on his friend that was inflicted by a neighborhood bully, so many years ago. Thus, his first book becomes this cathartic story: the autobiographical novel entitled The Kite Runner.

Matthew Spangler’s stage adaptation is very faithful to Khaled Hosseini’s novel. The play opened on Broadway two years ago and impressed audiences with its power and passion. This lovely National Touring production, which is scheduled to play just two weeks in Chicago on its 21 city trek across America, is just as emotionally shattering and soothingly poetic as the drama that New Yorkers experienced. Acclaimed British Director, Giles Croft, once again inspires, stages and shapes this production, much as he did with the original Broadway version. Amir’s tale is effectively told in the first person. The two-act drama unfolds much like story theatre, with Amir serving as both narrator and the main character and most of the ensemble portraying multiple roles. While a bit stiff at times, the emotional impact of Amir’s confessional story hits us hard and his atonement feels especially honest and heartfelt.

Amir (who slightly resembles the book’s author) is played with so much honesty and poignance by handsome Ramzi Khalaf. The range of emotion that this talented actor conveys throughout this entire production is staggering. Halfway into this two-act play we get an intermission, and both Mr. Khalaf and the audience welcome the break from so much pathos and passion. There are many humorous moments in the script, as well; but in addition to offering a respite to the intensity of the drama, they provide a contrast in mood, that points up the next affecting moment. In his star turn as Amir, Ramzi Khalaf is never offstage. As such, we live this story of sin and salvation entirely through this gifted actor, always identifying with the rollercoaster of emotions and experiences he endures.

Charismatic Shahzeb Zahid Hussain is sincere and heartbreaking as Amir’s devoted, faithful friend, Hassan. Later, in Act II, this talented actor also plays Sohrab, Hussan’s young son. Even before Hassan becomes a victim of savage attack, Mr. Hussain holds our heart in his hands with his loyalty and affection for his dear friend. Originally from Cairo, Egypt, New York actor Haythem Noor is powerful as Baba, Amir’s strict, highly critical authoritarian father. With an irrevocable opinion about everything, Mr. Noor creates a character whose change in health in Act II is sad to witness. 

Jonathan  Shaboo, whose work has been enjoyed at the Goodman and Writers Theatre, is excellent as kindly family friend, Rahim Khan, as well as other characters. Beautiful Awesta Zarif, one of the few women in the cast, portrays Soraya, Amir’s devoted wife. She holds her own against all the male actors (including her father, nicely played by James Rana as General Taheri). The couple’s simple, elegant wedding scene in America is as beautiful and charming as is it is a welcome break from the all the drama.

Giles Croft’s production is simple but always effective. Staged upon Barney George’s multi-level Scenic Design, with authentic Costumes, also by Mr. George, both the characters and the story earn our focus. William Simpson’s poetic Projections and Charles Balfour’s lyrical Lighting Design add hints of additional flavor to the play. Talented Afghanistan percussionist, Salar Nader, provides plenty of authentic atmosphere through his adept rhythmic tempos on the Tabla drums.

The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini’s splendid literary masterpiece, comes to life in Matthew Spangler’s stage adaptation. It’s brilliantly Directed by Giles Croft, who had a long relationship with this play. This is a stunning production, peopled with realistic characters playing out Hosseini’s riveting story of guilt and redemption. An adult story, it’s a rollercoaster ride of honest emotions, and told by a talented cast of fifteen gifted actors. The play explores fear, shame, grief, sadness, anger and, ultimately, joy. It offers the main character the chance for remediation in a way to be good again. This really is a gorgeous play and, since it’s only in Chicago for a couple of weeks, is a story that truly should not be missed.   

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented June 11-23 by Broadway in Chicago at the CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe, Chicago.

Tickets are available at all Broadway in Chicago box offices, at all Ticketmaster locations, by calling the Chicago Ticket Line at 800-775-2000 or by going to www.BroadwayInChicago.com. 

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.