Now Playing

by Madhuri Shekar
directed by Chay Yew

World Premiere

June 19 – July 27, 2025

at Writers Theatre,
325 Tudor Court
Glencoe, IL 60022

Produced in partnership with

Rich with culinary tradition and dramatic twists, Dhaba on Devon Avenue serves up a searing Chicago-set story of family, legacy, and survival at all costs.

Dhaba Canteen has been a stalwart institution on Chicago’s Devon Avenue since the ‘80s, serving up delicious Sindhi food with the power to transport diners back to the halcyon days of undivided India. Times are changing, however. With the bank threatening foreclosure and Chef Neeraj’s health in decline, the restaurant may soon be cooking up its last meal—unless sous chef Rita can convince her father to let her take over the kitchen.

Dhaba on Devon Avenue was previously presented at TimeLine in a one-night-only reading as part of the company’s TimePieces Play Reading series in June 2022. Acclaimed director Chay Yew makes his TimeLine directorial debut with this production.

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Cast

Production Team

Understudies

* Member of Actors Equity Association

# Member of United Scenic Artists

~ Member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society

+ TimeLine Company Member

^ TimeLine Associate Artist

§ TimeLine Playwrights Collective

Features

  • Chicago Sun-Times

    June 18, 2025

    Touring Devon Avenue with two actors from a play that shines light on the vibrant cultural hub, Arya Daire and Anish Jethmalani, on stage in DHABA ON DEVON AVENUE…explain the street’s significance to South Asians in Chicago.

    —Mike Davis

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  • American Theatre Magazine

    June 19, 2025

    What goes into the recipe for a new play? For DHABA ON DEVON AVENUE…playwright Madhuri Shekar stirred in a helping of immigrant history, a dash of Chekhov, a pair of local actors she wanted to write for—and a to-die-for saag grilled cheese sandwich a friend once made for her.

    —Rob Weinert-Kendt

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Reviews

  • Chicago Sun-Times

    June 28, 2025

    ★★★1/2…an undeniably entertaining rollercoaster where history collides with the present… a sprawling, multigenerational story of diaspora and maintaining cultural tradition

    —Catey Sullivan

  • Around the Town Chicago

    June 28, 2025

    an incredible performance by Anish Jethmalani

    —Alan Bresloff

  • Buzz Center Stage

    June 30, 2025

    a local story with universal meaning

    —Bill Esler

  • Evanston Roundtable

    July 1, 2025

    [H]eartwarming, provocative, personal and universal. Playwright Madhuri Shekar, winner of the 2020 Landford Wilson Playwrighting Award, has scripted a wonderful story. Director Chay Yew has brought out the best in all the actors. This play will capture your heart.

    —Cissy Lacks

  • Chicago Reader

    July 2, 2025

    quite moving…resonant…[Anish] Jethmalani has long been one of my favorite actors to watch, and this is one of the best performances I’ve seen him deliver

    —Kerry Reid

  • Daily Herald

    July 3, 2025

    a satisfying dish…a touching and sometimes bittersweet examination of identity, tradition and assimilation within Chicago’s South Asian community

    —Barbara Vitello

Discussions & Events

  • Glencoe Al Fresco
    Fridays, July 11, 18 & 25, 2025, 5:30 – 7:30pm

    Enjoy food trucks, happy hour specials, and live music in Glencoe before the performance.

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  • DHABA ON DEVON AVENUE South Asian Community Night
    Friday, July 11, 2025 at 7:30pm

    A night at DHABA ON DEVON AVENUE celebrating South Asian audience members.

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  • DHABA ON DEVON AVENUE Sunday Scholars
    Sunday, July 20, 2025 at 12pm

    This one-hour panel discussion features experts on the themes of the play.

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