My family has always cherished our visits to Writers Theatre in Glencoe, Illinois, an architectural gem offering an intimate theatrical experience and state-of-the-art performance space. This season, Writers Theatre, in partnership with TimeLine Theatre, presents a heartfelt and compelling production: Dhaba on Devon Avenue, a powerful story of cultural identity, family legacy, and resilience within Chicago’s South Asian community.
Written by Madhuri Shekar and directed by Chay Yew, Dhaba on Devon Avenue tells the story of an aging South Asian immigrant, Chef Neeraj, who runs a Sindhi restaurant, a “dhaba,” on iconic Devon Avenue, often referred to as “Little India.”
The play delves into the challenges facing this family-run canteen as it faces the threat of foreclosure and the legacy of generational transition. As Neeraj’s health declines, his determined sous-chef and daughter, Rita, is left to grapple with whether she can preserve her family’s culinary legacy in an ever-changing world.
This beautifully layered narrative weaves together themes of immigration, economic hardship, cultural inheritance, and the memories of the days of undivided India. The production artfully balances humor and heartbreak, with food as a symbolic and sensory thread that binds the family’s past, present, and future. They kept authentic spices in the lobby to smell and a knowledge check for the audience.
Despite Chicago’s significant South Asian population, few stories from this vibrant community have made their way onto mainstream stages. Shekar’s writing brings that long-overdue representation with authenticity, depth, and poetic resonance. The staging at Writers Theatre, a hallmark of intimate, text-rich storytelling, amplifies the emotional impact, inviting the audience directly into the heart of the family’s kitchen, both literally and metaphorically.
Founded in 1992, Writers Theatre has long been a suburban cultural cornerstone with national acclaim, known for its innovative performances and engaging programming. The theatre www.writerstheatre.org, continues to offer a rich lineup for the 2025–2026 season, including Rachmaninoff and the Tsar, One Night Only: Sing-Along, As You Like It, and Two Sisters and a Piano.
Dhaba on Devon Avenue is a must-see production and runs through July 27, 2025. I wholeheartedly encourage theatergoers of all backgrounds to experience this poignant, powerful story. It is not only a celebration of food and family but a timely tribute to the immigrant spirit that shapes our city and communities.
