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The Lunchbox

Sun, May 17 - Sun, Jun 28

Book and co-lyrics by Ritesh Batra
Music and co-lyrics by the Lazours
Directed by Rachel Chavkin
Choreography by Reshma Gajjar
Music supervision by Nathan Koci
World premiere
Roda Theatre

Rediscover the profound power of human connection in The Lunchbox — a new musical adaptation of Ritesh Batra’s internationally acclaimed film that overflows with heart, humor, and hope. A mistaken delivery in Mumbai’s famously efficient lunchbox system connects a lonely housewife to a jaded office worker, setting off an exchange of handwritten notes. Tucked in the folds of fragrant chapatis, amidst the vibrant pulse of Mumbai, their words blossom into a connection that might save them both. Directed by Tony Award-winner Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown) and featuring performances from Manu Narayan (Broadway’s Bombay Dreams, Apple TV’s Your Friends & Neighbors) and Kuhoo Verma (Berkeley Rep’s Monsoon Wedding and Octet, Off-Broadway’s Heathers: The Musical), The Lunchbox is a tale of the beauty of small gestures — one that will leave you believing in the bravery of opening your heart to the unexpected.

Important dates

  • Masks required: May 24, May 31 (matinee and evening), Jun 2, and Jun 7 (matinee)
  • Closed captioning: evenings May 28, 29, and 31, Jun 2 and 3; and every matinee through Jun 25
  • Audio description: Jun 27 matinee
  • Postshow discussions: Jun 5, Jun 11, and Jun 16 — guided by members of Berkeley Rep’s artistic team
  • Docent-led postshow discussions: after all matinees

 

Events and extras

  • Theatre Explorers: While you enjoy the Jun 13 matinee, your K–5 student can dive into an exciting, age-appropriate workshop just next door at our School of Theatre! Professional teaching artists lead theatre games and hands-on art projects designed to spark imagination. Registration is $35 per child; advance reservation required.

Who’s who

Cast

Hashini Amarasinghe | Swing
Savidu Geevaratne* | Chorus
Akshara Gunda | Swing
Shaarada Trayi Karthik | Yashvi
Benjamin Mathew* | Chorus
Vaibu Mohan | Chorus
Shiv Nadkarni | Chorus
Anisha Nagarajan* | Mrs. Deshpande
Manu Narayan* | Saajan
Nasir Panjwani* | Swing
Yash Ramanujam* | Chorus
Sushma Saha | Chorus
Kinshuk Sen* | Chorus
Caryna Shah | Yashvi
Aathaven Tharmarajah* | Shaikh
Vishal Vaidya* | Chorus
Levin Valayil* | Swing
Kuhoo Verma* | Ila
Hashini Amarasinghe | Understudy Ila
Savidu Geevaratne* | Understudy Shaikh
Sushma Saha | Understudy Mrs. Deshpande
Vishal Vaidya* | Understudy Saajan

 

Creative team

Ritesh Batra | Book and Co-Lyrics
The Lazours | Music and Co-Lyrics
Rachel Chavkin | Director
Reshma Gajjar | Choreographer
Nathan Koci | Music Supervisor
Mimi Lien | Scenic Design
Arjun Bhasin | Costume Design
Bradley King | Lighting Design
Justin Stasiw | Sound Design
Charles La Pointe | Wigs, Hair, and Make-Up
Nathan Koci | Orchestrations
Daniel & Patrick Lazour | Co-Arrangements
Nathan Koci | Co-Arrangements
Rohan Krishnamurthy | Co-Arrangements
Arun Ramamurthy | Co-Arrangements
Sheela Ramesh | Music Director
The Telsey Office | Casting
Mahira Kakkar | Dialect Coach
Becky Fleming* | Production Stage Manager
Shana Ferguson* | Stage Manager
Kathleen Gallardo* | Assistant Stage Manager

* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

Season presenting sponsor

Peet’s Coffee

Season sponsor

I Fly OAK

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Accessibility

Berkeley Rep is wheelchair accessible and offers assistive listening devices (ALDs), closed captioning, and audio description for the hearing-impaired.

Health and safety

In the 2025/26 season, masks are encouraged for all performances, but are required in our theatres on select Sunday and Tuesday performances.

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