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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 beauty of human connection in The Lunchbox — a new musical adaptation of Ritesh Batra’s internationally acclaimed film filled with heart, humor, and hope. In bustling Mumbai, a lunchbox delivery meant for one man lands in the hands of another, sparking an unlikely bond between a young wife longing to be seen and a widower nearing retirement. As notes pass back and forth with each meal, their words blossom into a romance 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 love, yearning, and new beginnings — one that will leave you believing in the bravery of opening your heart to the unexpected.

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Production information

  • Runtime: One hour and 45 minutes, no intermission
  • Age recommendation: Suitable for ages 12 and up
  • Stage effects advisory: Use of theatrical haze and a lighting effect that may create flashing or pulsing lights in the front rows
  • Content advisory: Contains mature themes, including references to suicide

 

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

  • An Evening with the BayRaagis: Before the curtain rises on May 23, join us at Michael’s Second Act for an intimate preshow evening of live Indian classical fusion music. The first in a new musical series presented by Berkeley Rep and RootStock Arts, this gathering features the BayRaagis — a celebrated Bay Area collective known for their soulful sound. Slow down, listen closely, and connect over light refreshments. Free and open to all with RSVP. A separate ticket is required for the evening’s performance of The Lunchbox.
  • South Asian Heritage Night: Join us on May 29 for a vibrant preshow gathering in the Narsai M. David Courtyard. In partnership with Ishami Dance Company, the evening features live dance performances, light bites from Viks Chaat, refreshments, and local vendors including Bukku’s Boutique and more. Doors open at 6:45pm. Free and open to all with RSVP. A separate ticket is required for the evening’s performance of The Lunchbox.
  • 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

Yash Ramanujam* | Chorus, Dabbawallah
Vishal Vaidya* | Chorus, Office Boss/Cafe Owner
Kinshuk Sen* | Chorus, Waiter
Savidu Geevaratne* | Chorus, Office Worker/Cook
Shiv Nadkarni* | Chorus, Rajeev
Benjamin Mathew* | Chorus, Cook
Vaibu Mohan | Chorus, Mehrunissa
Sushma Saha | Chorus
Kuhoo Verma* | Ila
Shaarada Karthik, Caryna Desai Shah | Yashvi
Anisha Nagarajan* | Mrs. Deshpande
Manu Narayan* | Fernandes
Aathaven Tharmarajah* | Shaikh
Hashini Amarasinghe | Understudy Ila, Swing
Savidu Geevaratne* | Understudy Shaikh
Akshara Gunda | Swing, Dance Captain
Nasir Ali Panjwani* | Swing
Sushma Saha | Understudy Mrs. Deshpande
Vishal Vaidya* | Understudy Fernandes
Levin Valayil* | Swing

 

Band

Sheela Ramesh | Music Director, Conductor, Keys
Sascha Jacobsen | Bass
Eric Kang | Associate Music Director, Cello, Guitar
Shota Otaguro | Mallets, Drum Set, Percussion
Charith Premawardhana | Viola
Rohan Krishnamurthy | Mridangam, Tabla, Dhol, Additional Indian Percussion
Arun Ramamurthy | Violin 1
Sahana Shravan | Violin 2

 

Creative team

Ritesh Batra | Book and Co-Lyrics
The Lazours | Music and Co-Lyrics
Rachel Chavkin | Director
Reshma Gajjar | Choreographer
Nathan Koci | Music Supervisor, Co-Orchestrations
Mimi Lien | Scenic Design
Arjun Bhasin | Costume Design
Bradley King | Lighting Design
Justin Stasiw | Sound Design
Charles G. LaPointe | Wigs and Hair Design
Daniel Lazour | Co-Orchestrations
Rohan Krishnamurthy | Co-Orchestrations
Arun Ramamurthy | Co-Orchestrations
Sheela Ramesh | Music Director
The Telsey Office, Kristian Charbonier, CSA, Adam Caldwell, CSA, Keertana Sastry, Priya Ghosh | Casting
Mahira Kakkar | Dialect Coach
Becky Fleming* | Production Stage Manager
Shana Ferguson* | Stage Manager
Kathleen Rose 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

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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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