नेहा & NEEL

नेहा & Neel

by Ankita Raturi
directed by Lily Tung Crystal
October 9-November 16, 2025

Neha (नेहा) fears she has failed to pass her language and culture down to her 17-year-old son, Neel (नील). A summer trip to visit colleges could be Neha’s last chance, if only she can get Neel to visit the historic Hope Diamond and witness a piece of Indian history for himself. नेहा & Neel asks what we lose with every generation in America, and if it’s ever too late to connect with your roots.

Special Events

• LA Playwrights Night ($10 Tickets) – Oct. 11 at 8 pm
• Content Creators Preview Day ($10 Tickets) – Oct.12 at 4 pm
• South Asian Affinity Performance – Oct. 19 at 4 pm (50% off with code AAPdiwali)
• LATC Student Night – Oct. 24 at 8 pm
• Consortium of Asian American Theaters & Artists (50% off for CAATA members with code AAPcaata) – Oct. 25 at 8 pm
• LA Theatre Community Day – Oct. 26 at 4 pm
• Family Day – Nov. 9 at 4 pm (50% off with code AAPfamily)

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About the Play

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Cast

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

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Creative Team

Ankita Raturi (Playwright) (she/her) is a currently Queens-based writer and teaching artist who grew up in capital cities, pediatric gastroenterology offices, and the bisexual closet. New play development: Theater Mu, Playwrights’ Center, New York Theatre Workshop, Roundabout, Ma-Yi Theater Company, South Coast Repertory, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Playwrights Realm, Berkshire Theatre Group, Cygnet Theatre, Artists at Play, The COOP, Atlantic Pacific Theatre, Theater Masters, Fresh Ground Pepper, Hypokrit Theatre Company, New York Shakespeare Exchange, Pete’s Candy Store, Natyabharati, Wesleyan University. B.F.A. in Drama: NYU/Tisch. M.F.A. in Playwriting: UC San Diego. Second-year Kathak student: Maeri Dance.

Lily Tung Crystal (Director) (she/her) is a director, actor/singer, and the artistic director of East West Players. She has directed the world premieres of R.A. Shiomi’s Secret Warriors (History Theatre), Jessica Huang and Jacinth Greywoode’s musical Blended 和 (Harmony): The Kim Loo Sisters (Mu/History), Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay’s The Kung Fu Zombies Saga (Mu); and Leah Nanako Winkler’s Two Mile Hollow (Ferocious Lotus). Other credits include: Lauren Yee’s Cambodian Rock Band (Mu/Jungle); David Henry Hwang’s Chinglish (Palo Alto Players), Susan Soon He Stanton’s Today Is My Birthday (Mu); and Steven Karam’s The Humans (Park Square Theatre), which won the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers’ Favorite Play 2022. She is also a three-time Theatre Bay Area Award Finalist for Outstanding Direction. lilytungcrystal.com eastwestplayers.org