THE KITE RUNNER Arizona Theatre Company Play Guide 1

THE KITE RUNNER
INTRODUCTION TO THE PLAY
INTRO CHARACTERS
“Come see me, Amir, there is a way to be good again…”
A cry for help from an old friend in a distant land lies at
the heart of this powerful story of friendship, betrayal and
redemption newly adapted from the international bestselling
novel. Based on one of the most beloved books of
the last decade, The Kite Runner is told through the lives
of two boys, Amir and Hassan, growing up in Afghanistan
in the same household, but in two starkly different
worlds. When the innocence of the boys’ childhood is
confronted with the brutality of prejudice and hate, Amir
begins a journey of self discovery and enlightenment
that will take him far from his home and the demons of
his youth. But fate, global politics and historical tragedy
threaten his ability to make amends for his past. A bracing
look at the modern world, The Kite Runner shows us the
human face beneath the headline news.
THE CHARACTERS
Costume Design Sketch for Young Amir
by designer Kish Finnegan
AMIR: Thirty-eight. Afghan ethnic Pashtun.
BABA: Forties in Act I. Fifties in Act II. Afghan ethnic
Pashtun. Amir’s father.
RAHIM KHAN: Baba’s business partner. Late thirties to
early forties in Act I, mid to late sixties
in Act II. Afghan ethnic Pashtun.
HASSAN: Young Amir’s servant
and best friend. Eleven years old.
Afghan ethnic Hazara.
YOUNG AMIR: Hassan’s best friend. Twelve years old. Afghan ethnic
Pashtun.
ALI: Hassan’s father and Baba’s servant. Forties. Afghan ethnic Hazara.
ASSEF: Twelve years old in Act I, thirty-eight in Act II. Afghan ethnic
Pashtun.
Craig Piaget and Lowell Abellon in
The Kite Runner. Photo by Kevin Berne
Costume Design Sketch
in Hassan by Kish Finnegan
Arizona Theatre Company Play Guide 4