American Hunger

by Nikhil Mahapatra

Haresh, the owner of an Indian restaurant in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, sends his son, Akash, off to the start of his last school year. Haresh's competitor, Eng, the owner of a chinese restaurant across the street, does the same with his son, Han. As the families wave goodbye to their children for what marks the beginning of great change, they wonder about what is to come. Haresh's business is struggling, as...

Haresh, the owner of an Indian restaurant in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, sends his son, Akash, off to the start of his last school year. Haresh's competitor, Eng, the owner of a chinese restaurant across the street, does the same with his son, Han. As the families wave goodbye to their children for what marks the beginning of great change, they wonder about what is to come. Haresh's business is struggling, as gentrification slowly overtakes crown heights. He is unable to keep up with Eng - whose cuisine is more palatable to the young, white people moving into the neighbourhood. He hides his fear from his son, Akash and instead chooses to focus on Akash's upcoming college applications. Haresh's desires Akash to aim for the very top of academic success, whereas Akash is not even sure if college is meant for him. Haresh pressures Akash with stories of his own sacrifice, but Akash is flippant about it. Han and Akash discuss their future plans in life. Han attempts to show off by buying weed from Sonia, but fails to impress Akash. Instead, Sonia and Akash hit it off. Haresh tries to modify recipes to increase success with little benefit. Jones, a black customer comes into the restaurant and gets into a small fight with Haresh. On Halloween night, Akash and Han get together to go out as they always do, but Han gets angry when he learn Akash has invited Sonia along too. After a fight, they go their separate ways. Haresh's restaurant is vandalized. Anne and Eng get Han to find Akash and bring him home. The family is reunited in safety. They spend the night at Eng's home. Han and Akash make-up a little bit. Haresh has not paid for insurance and has been hit hard by the vandalism. He hides the financial difficulty from his son, who is able to detect it all the same. Samuel, a restauranteur attempts to buy Haresh's restaurant from him, but Haresh refuses. Jones also attempts to buy the restaurant, leaving Haresh with a choice. Han confesses his feelings for Akash. Winter begins in earnest, and Akash receives his first college acceptance letters. A death in the community stirs an attempt at reconciliations between Han and Akash. Haresh has decided to sell the restaurant, and is finalizing all the details. Akash argues with him, as he does not want Haresh to sacrifice his dreams just to facilitate Akash's academic and future success. Haresh claims that that is his greatest joys. Both Han and Akash's family gather for graduation and to say goodbye to the restaurant.
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American Hunger

Recommended by

  • Nick Malakhow: American Hunger

    Such a beautifully observed, delicately rendered piece that explores huge themes--immigrant/first-gen experiences, queer coming of age, gentrification, adult and adolescent friendship and fellowship and more--with fine and gentle brushstrokes. So many of the scenes didn't end with huge dramatic flourishes, but small little seismic shifts and ellipses and open-ended questions. I especially appreciated the potent queer storyline that eschewed trauma in favor of examining how the two boys supported and cared for one another. The sense of place of this particular city block was also crystal clear-...

    Such a beautifully observed, delicately rendered piece that explores huge themes--immigrant/first-gen experiences, queer coming of age, gentrification, adult and adolescent friendship and fellowship and more--with fine and gentle brushstrokes. So many of the scenes didn't end with huge dramatic flourishes, but small little seismic shifts and ellipses and open-ended questions. I especially appreciated the potent queer storyline that eschewed trauma in favor of examining how the two boys supported and cared for one another. The sense of place of this particular city block was also crystal clear--I'd love to see it all fully realized onstage.

  • Eugene O'Neill Theater Center: American Hunger

    It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Nikhil Mahapatra and their play American Hunger as a finalist for our 2020 National Playwrights Conference. This particular work emerged from a highly competitive, anonymous, and multi-tiered selection process to become one of 63 finalists out of more than 1,500 submissions. This enthralling piece galvanized the hearts and theatrical imaginations of our reading teams and is fully championed by our offices. We are honored to put our enthusiastic support behind this writer and their ongoing contributions to the American Theater.

    It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Nikhil Mahapatra and their play American Hunger as a finalist for our 2020 National Playwrights Conference. This particular work emerged from a highly competitive, anonymous, and multi-tiered selection process to become one of 63 finalists out of more than 1,500 submissions. This enthralling piece galvanized the hearts and theatrical imaginations of our reading teams and is fully championed by our offices. We are honored to put our enthusiastic support behind this writer and their ongoing contributions to the American Theater.

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization The Lark, Year 2018
  • Type Reading, Organization Cherry Lane Theatre, Year 2018

Awards

  • NPC
    O'Neill
    Finalist
    2020