‘The Kite Runner’ Onstage at Benedum for PNC Broadway (Wed., 5/8/24)

Ramzi Khalaf portrays ‘The Kite Runner’s’ main character Amir.

THE KITE RUNNER, adapted by Matthew Spangler from the novel by Khaled Hosseini. Benedum Center. Through May 12.

Sometimes only fiction can explain what historians, cultural anthropologists, and geo-political pundits would hope to illuminate. The global success of first-time novelist Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner has informed much of the world in understanding the strife of Sunni and Shi’a Muslims in the threatening past decades Afghanistan. As the title suggests, the tale begins with kites flying and a tournament famous in Kabul well before the Russian invasion and Taliban political dominance. But lest the lesson seems daunting, foreign, or counterintuitive to American sensibilities, this is a story of young friends, one of whom betrays the other over ideals of family tradition, loyalty and honor. The events happen as quickly and unpredictably as kites darting in unfavorable winds. Time spans from one decade to another, and back again. And, yes, as in real life, there is redemption discovered dramatically through breath-taking honesty. The Kite Runner was first adapted to the stage by Matthew Spangler, an American Professor of Performance Studies at San José State University. The Kite Runner has just begun a 14-city tour of the US, landing in Pittsburgh for five performances this week.

This is one to reel in. PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh Series at Benedum Center, 7th Street & Penn Ave., Cultural District.

Share on Social Media